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The rate of serious overuse injuries in athletes who come from families that can afford private insurance is 68 percent higher than the rate in lower-income athletes who are on public insurance (Medicaid), according to a new study. 

The study is the first to report a link between overuse injury rates in young athletes and their socioeconomic status. 

Researchers also found that privately insured young athletes are twice as likely as publicly insured athletes to be highly specialized in one sport. 

"Intense specialization in one sport can cost thousands of dollars a year in equipment, fees, transportation, private lessons, etc.," said Neeru Jayanthi, MD, in an oral presentation at the International Olympic Committee World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport in Monaco. "Having the financial resources to afford such costs may provide increased opportunities for young athletes to participate in a single sport."

Researchers added that there may be different price to pay. "Young athletes with this type of training appear to be at greater risk for serious overuse injuries than those who have fewer financial resources," said  Lara Dugas, PhD, MPH, co-investigator on the study, in the press release.

Serious overuse injuries can force young athletes to the sideline for one to six months. Overuse injuries also include stress fractures in the back or limbs, elbow ligament injuries and osteochondral injuries (injuries to cartilage and underlying bone), the press release added. 

The findings were also presented at the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.