While sports offer children valuable life skills and health benefits, increasing pressures can lead to anxiety, burnout and perfectionism. Experts emphasise the importance of prioritising fun, growth and open conversations to support young athletes’ well-being.
Children and teenagers who play sport often gain far more than fitness. They can build confidence, learn teamwork, develop routine and enjoy a stronger sense of belonging. Johns Hopkins Medicine says those positives are common, but young athletes can also face anxiety, burnout and perfectionism when pressure starts to outweigh enjoyment.
Davy Phrathep, a sports and performance psychologist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, says youth sport can help shape healthy habits well beyond the playing field. He points to research showing that student athletes are more likely than non-athletes to be physically active, sleep well, maintain healthier eating habits and feel more confident about their goals. They also tend to report stronger academic expectations after school.
The same environment can become difficult when children begin tying their self-worth to results. Johns Hopkins Medicine says losses, mistakes and limited playing time can feel overwhelming, especially for youngsters who are still learning how to manage emotions and setbacks. Elite or highly talented players may need extra support because their relationship with sport can change as expectations rise.
Perfectionism can also become a problem. Some young athletes become so afraid of failure that they avoid risks, struggle with criticism or lose confidence over small errors. Stress and anxiety may follow, including poor sleep, stomach complaints, headaches, irritability and reluctance to attend practice or competition. Johns Hopkins Medicine says performance anxiety can develop before games and, in some cases, spread into school or social settings as part of a broader anxiety disorder.
Depression is another concern. In children, it may look like low energy, boredom or distraction rather than obvious sadness. Johns Hopkins Medicine says parents should pay attention if a child loses interest in sport or other activities they usually enjoy, or if low mood, changes in appetite or sleep and other symptoms last for weeks. Burnout can also appear as fatigue, discouragement, reduced enthusiasm and a growing wish to quit.
Experts say adults can help by keeping the conversation open, asking what is really going on and listening without rushing to fix the problem. Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends looking at whether the issue is a one-off disappointment or a longer pattern of distress that may need professional support. It also advises helping children set goals based on growth rather than fear, building in rest and recovery and keeping fun at the centre of sport so that competition remains healthy, sustainable and rewarding.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
