Rothman Orthopaedics x Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association 2026 – 2027 Content Series
Authors: Adrian Oppong, MD and Stephen Stache, Jr., MD, FAMSSM
Youth soccer players can seem to change overnight. One season they look coordinated and confident, and the next they may struggle with balance, speed, or new aches and pains. For many young athletes, these changes are related to growth spurts.
Growth spurts are a normal part of childhood and adolescence, but periods of rapid growth can temporarily affect athletic performance and increase the risk of certain injuries. Understanding how growth affects young athletes can help parents and coaches recognize when changes are normal and when an injury may need attention.
As the official orthopedic partner of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA), Rothman Orthopaedics regularly evaluates young athletes experiencing these growth-related changes.
How Growth Spurts Affect the Body and Performance
A growth spurt is a period when a child experiences relatively rapid increases in height and weight. Although growth occurs throughout childhood, the most noticeable growth spurt typically happens during puberty. Girls generally experience this earlier than boys, but the timing and rate of growth vary considerably between individuals.
During rapid growth, changes in bone length, muscle flexibility, and tendon tension can temporarily affect how an athlete moves. These changes may be particularly noticeable in soccer, where running, cutting, jumping, kicking, and changing direction place considerable demands on the lower extremities.
As athletes advance to higher levels of competition, their training intensity and volume often increase as well. When these demands coincide with rapid growth, some athletes are at greater risk for overuse injuries.
Parents and coaches may also notice temporary changes in coordination, balance, speed, or agility. As the body grows, athletes sometimes need time to adjust to changes in their size and movement patterns. Muscle tightness, particularly in the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles, may also develop.
These changes do not affect every athlete, and most are temporary. However, pain or a noticeable decline in performance should not automatically be dismissed as a normal part of growing.
Common Growth-Related Injuries in Youth Soccer
Several conditions are particularly common among active adolescents during periods of rapid growth.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing athletes. It develops when repetitive stress from the patellar tendon irritates the developing bone just below the kneecap. Activities such as running, jumping, and kicking can aggravate the condition.
Athletes typically report pain and tenderness just below the kneecap, sometimes accompanied by a noticeable bump. Symptoms often worsen during or after practices and games.
Sever Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
Sever disease is a common cause of heel pain in young athletes. Similar to Osgood-Schlatter disease, it results from repetitive stress on an area of developing bone, in this case where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel.
Athletes may experience heel pain during activity, limp after soccer, or notice increased discomfort following tournaments or periods of heavier training.
Growth Plate Injuries
Growth plates are areas of developing cartilage near the ends of bones. Because these areas are still developing, they can be more vulnerable to injury than mature bone, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
Both repetitive stress and acute injuries can affect growth plates. Persistent pain, particularly when associated with swelling or difficulty bearing weight, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Muscle Tightness and Tendon Irritation
Rapid growth can also contribute to changes in muscle flexibility and increased tension around joints. In soccer players, this may affect the hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, calf muscles, and Achilles tendons. When combined with repetitive activity, these changes can contribute to discomfort and overuse symptoms.
Preventing Injuries and Knowing When to Seek Care
Although growth spurts cannot be prevented, there are several ways parents and coaches can help young athletes manage these changes and reduce injury risk.
Prioritize recovery
Adequate sleep, hydration, and nutrition are essential for normal growth, physical performance, and recovery. Young athletes need sufficient energy to support both their developing bodies and the demands of training and competition.
Encourage appropriate conditioning
Dynamic warm-ups, strengthening exercises, balance training, and mobility work can help athletes maintain flexibility and movement control. Structured injury prevention programs, such as FIFA 11+ Kids, have also been shown to reduce injuries in young soccer players.
Monitor training load
As athletes grow, it is important to balance training demands with adequate recovery. Playing on multiple teams, participating year-round, and competing in frequent tournaments can increase physical stress. Parents and coaches should pay particular attention to sudden increases in activity and allow appropriate time for rest.
Encourage communication
Young athletes should feel comfortable reporting pain, fatigue, or changes in performance. Reporting pain early may prevent a minor injury from becoming a more significant problem.
One of the most important things for parents to understand is that pain is not always a normal part of growing. While occasional soreness after activity is common, persistent or worsening pain deserves attention.
Warning signs that should prompt medical evaluation include pain that continues despite rest, swelling, limping, difficulty bearing weight, pain that limits participation, or recurring symptoms after practices and games. Night pain, particularly when persistent or unexplained, should also be evaluated.
Many growth-related overuse conditions can be managed successfully with activity modification, rehabilitation, and gradual return to play. Early recognition and appropriate treatment can help prevent prolonged symptoms and unnecessary time away from soccer.
Helping Young Athletes Stay in the Game
Growth spurts are a normal part of athletic development, but they can create temporary challenges for young soccer players. Parents and coaches should recognize that every athlete develops at a different pace and that changes in performance are not always a reason for concern. However, persistent pain should never simply be dismissed as growing pains. With appropriate training and recovery, most young athletes can continue playing safely throughout these periods of rapid growth.
When injuries do occur, Rothman Orthopaedics provides convenient access to sports medicine specialists experienced in evaluating and treating young athletes. Families can schedule an appointment through Rothman’s Fast Scheduler or access orthopedic care through RothmanNow.