Pro-Form Physiotherapy is a trusted physiotherapy and sports injury clinic in Sydney with over a decade of experience in delivering top-tier allied health services to individuals from diverse backgrounds.


Find out what ProForm Physiotherapist, Jayden Prakash has to say.

The Study
Researchers followed nearly 3,000 young athletes for 10 years, comparing two groups. Multi-sport kids played 2-3 different sports until ages 14-16. Basketball-only kids focused solely on basketball before age 12.

The Results
Multi-sport kids had 70-85% fewer overuse injuries and earned more college basketball scholarships (64% vs 52%). They were three times less likely to burn out by age 15. Basketball-only kids had three times more injuries by high school and higher dropout rates by age 16. Here’s the kicker: 88% of Olympic athletes played multiple sports as kids.

Why This Matters
Different sports teach different movement skills that all help basketball. Soccer develops quick direction changes. Swimming builds shoulder strength. Track creates explosive power. Tennis improves coordination. These skills transfer directly to basketball and reduce injury risk.

Recommendations
Wait until ages 14-16 before specialising in basketball only. Follow the age rule where training hours per week shouldn’t exceed your child’s age. Think in seasons – fall soccer, winter basketball, spring track, summer swimming. Quality trumps quantity. It’s better to move well in many ways than poorly in one repetitive pattern.

The Bottom Line
Multi-sport athletes get injured less, develop better athleticism, stay motivated longer, and perform better in basketball. Playing other sports early doesn’t hurt development – it enhances it. We’re building athletes for the long game, not just the next season.