The benefits of sampling sports during childhood

This article considers the benefits of early sports specialization versus sports sampling for children, and examines the impact of sports participation on their physical and psychosocial development. The authors review opposing research studies that suggest that early participation in deliberate practice or, conversely, deliberate play, is necessary to developing sports skills at an expert level. They offer their support toward sport sampling, noting that it more effectively promotes lifelong engagement in physical activity and combats childhood obesity.