Question: My child plays sports year-round and has a sore shoulder. Is soreness normal for an athlete?
Answer: Athletic children can be identified by recreational, school, travel programs, and even higher-end "exposure" teams designed to showcase the talents of young players on a regional and national level. This can lead to kids playing sports year-round.
It is important to recognize that repetitive throwing and overhead sports are traumatic to the young shoulder, so taking time off between seasons is critical to preventing overuse injuries. Rest, preventative stretching and conditioning are critical to keep an adult player healthy, and the same is true for the young.
I see — more frequently than ever — young kids who had a future in collegiate and possibly professional athletics burn out not just emotionally, but also physically, from playing year-round throwing sports from age 5 to17 without a break. I cannot think of a good reason that a child should ever play in pain, and it is the responsibility of adults to enforce this.
If a child is talented, the opportunity to play will always be there, so taking break from competition during each year is a great idea. Sports, like everything else, are best enjoyed in moderation — at any age.