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Dr. Casey Cooper on Win-at-all Costs Injuries

The physical and social benefits of youth sports participation have long been applauded. Tragically, a win-at-all-cost mentality wipes away the majority of these positives. Too often, we overlook how that mentality increases the risk of violence and injury.

In recent years, overuse injuries have quadrupled and half of all pediatric sports injuries are linked to burn out (Brenner, 2007). Young, developing bodies cannot withstand the demands of professional, year-round training and competition.

The impact is not only physical. Depression is a common side effect of recovery due to physical restrictions, threats to athletic identity, lack of contact with teams and coaches, and injured athletes’ perceptions of themselves as failures. Recovering players also face anxiety that their absence will cost them their position or standing with the team.

Injuries resulting from a win-at-all-cost mentality are clearly preventable. To learn more about this issue, families, athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, and all those who are invested in the long-term participation of youth in sports are encouraged to attend the Second Annual National Concussion Summit this April 18th in Marina del Rey, CA.

I will be a presenter at this event, which also features former NFL star Warren Moon and PCA National Advisory Board Member Leigh Steinberg. I look forward to helping as many people as possible overcome the win-at-all-cost mentality that threatens children’s physical and emotional well-being.

Dr. Casey Cooper, Ph.D. (http://www.drcaseycooper.com) is a California Licensed Psychologist, specializing in Sports Culture. She maintains a private practice in Mission Viejo and assists individual athletes, families, and teams.