Colman Noctor: As GAA and soccer seasons clash, remember kids can exercise too much

Children are poor self-regulators in all areas of their lives and sports or exercise is no different

As well as the inherent risk of specialisation injuries if a child has a heavy training load for one sport, there is the risk of burnout for a child who is trying to maintain a high level of commitment to multiple sports

The soccer and GAA seasons are separate for most months of the year. However, around this time every year, both seasons overlap, resulting in a logistical nightmare for parents. This might seem like the definition of a first world problem for some readers, but others will know that the struggle is real.

Most parents hope when a child partakes in sport, they will have an outlet for physical activity, social opportunities, and fun. However, sometimes sports can provide more stress and pressure than enjoyment, particularly if a child is forced to pick one over the other.