Characteristics of youth sports specialization among Japanese baseball players

Abstract

In this study, the characteristics of the athletic careers of Japanese college baseball players were identified, and relationships between their athletic careers and levels of performance and injury were analyzed. A questionnaire survey was conducted for 589 players in teams affiliated with the All-Japan University Baseball Federation; the relationship between their background in competitive activity and levels of performance in competitive experience was analyzed with a chi-square (χ²) test. In total, 541 players participated in the survey. Survey results showed that the average age at which they started playing baseball was 7.8 ± 1.8 years, and the average age at which they specialized in baseball was 10.0 ± 3.2 years. In terms of athletic experience and college performance level, the χ² test showed a significant association (χ² = 8.83, Cramer’s V = 0.133, p < 0.05). Moreover, significantly more players specialized before 12 years of age, with experience in other sports, and significantly fewer players specialized after 13 years of age, with experience in other sports (p < 0.05). Therefore, childhood sports experience may influence performance levels of college players, and Japanese baseball players tend to specialize early.