The young athlete.

Youth sports are becoming increasingly popular in America. Previous studies have shown that children and adolescents are not small adults in their response to exercise and stress. Intensive competition and training may be associated with acute and chronic illness and injury. In addition, we comment on the injury risks that are generated by pressures to perform, injuries from urbanized non-team sports, and legislation underway to minimize these injuries. We also provide insight into psychological and sociological trends in the pediatric athlete and discuss the roles of the pediatrician, coach, trainer, and parent and the ways in which these roles impact upon injury and prevention in this population.