Youth Sports Specialization

Episode 7

Today’s guest is Tony Moreno, PhD, CSCS*D, USAW 1, a Professor of Kinesiology at Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Moreno teaches courses at EMU in biomechanics and sport performance training. He is a longtime member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) where he has been involved in promoting the Long Term Athlete Development framework in a variety of settings. He has also instructed athlete development coursework for the graduate coaching education programs at West Virginia University and Michigan State University, and has helped create athlete development and coaches’ education materials for USA Lacrosse, USA Ultimate, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association. We have an outstanding show for you today, shining a spotlight on the very important topic of Youth Sport Specialization.

Sport specialization is a structured and intense approach to enhance specific physical capacities and sport skills to elevate one’s competitive ability relative to one’s developmental stage. Dr. Moreno discusses potential concerns and considerations, and sport sampling on today’s episode.

Follow NYSHSI on Twitter @YouthSportInst

Follow Dr. Moreno on Twitter @TMoreno40SL

Resources

Sport Specializing | Handout

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GSSI Pre-Conference

The Physiology of Hydration: More Than Water Alone

This session explores the physiology of hydration through an integrated lens—examining how carbohydrate, sodium, flavor, and fluid interact to influence intake, absorption, retention, and performance. We’ll review current research on fluid balance, osmotic drivers, and palatability, highlighting mechanisms that underpin voluntary intake and thermoregulation. Attendees will gain insight into individualized strategies, including sweat profiling and timing approaches, to optimize euhydration and mitigate performance decrements associated with >2% body-mass loss. Practical applications will be linked to laboratory- and field-based research, ensuring translation from bench to field. This pre-conference equips you with evidence-based tools to support athlete hydration across diverse environments and sporting contexts. 

Divider line green, blue, black
  • Session 1: Sweating the detail: New insights on hydration considerations for athlete performance
    • Lewis James, PhD, Associate Professor in Human Nutrition in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University
  • Session 2: Functional ingredients in fluid replacement beverages for athletes
    • Lindsay Baker, PhD, Director at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute
  • Session 3: The hydration toolkit: Practical approaches to athlete support
    • Floris Wardenaar, PhD, Associate Professor at the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University