Question for those who spent a majority of their youth dedicated to a sport?

Question

Most of the athletes I know or know of, who were once very competitive and dedicated to a sport, have physical tell-tale signs that will be with them for the rest of their lives--their knees are shot, arthritis at an early age, some have had several surgeries on different joints, broken numerous bones, had many concussions, et cetera. Do you fall into this group? My question is, do you think it was worth it, considering the scars and painful reminders?

Answer 1

yes im a competitive track runner and its worth it because i leave school every day deppressed and track makes it better. I learned to like myself and i made new friends. no pain, no game.

Answer 2

I was involved with football for a good portion of my youth. Because of it I have had too many concusions and need to really be careful because the next one could be my last....It was not worth it to me, because being so young I could not seperate a healthy competative attitude from an unhealthy one and it stuck with me. I wish now that I would have concentrated more on education, that way I wouldnt have to work in this Nor Cal heat... and smoke! Then again I sucked at football and I was too skinny... I was doomed.......

Answer 3

i do tennis and badminton, and when i was a kid, karate. I have several injuries, but i do what i like, i like sports.

but i know that there's always a risk for about anything..and i'm willing to take it.