The career path of a physical therapist has never been more in demand—and it’s not hard to see why. Youth sports are exploding in both participation and intensity. From travel ball to year-round conditioning, today’s young athletes are training harder and earlier than ever before.

But beneath the surface of this growth is a troubling truth: the gap between how many kids are playing sports and how many are being trained properly is wider than ever.

Youth Sports: High Volume, Low Guidance

According to the Aspen Institute (2022), an estimated 60 million youth athletes are active in the U.S. today. Yet the National Strength and Conditioning Association reports that only 25% of high school athletes have access to a certified strength and conditioning coach. That leaves the majority—over 75%—training under passionate but often underqualified individuals.

The Rise of PT: A Symptom of the System

Over the past decade, physical therapy clinics have seen a 20–30% increase in youth patients, many presenting with overuse injuries and poor movement patterns caused by unstructured or excessive training (APTA, 2020).

The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that more than 3.5 million children under 14 are treated for sports injuries annually. Many of these injuries are preventable with appropriate load management and foundational training.

In short: physical therapists are often left catching kids after the system has already failed them.

The Youth-to-Pro Gap

Professional athletes train with a full team: strength coaches, mobility experts, therapists, and dietitians. A high-performing 13-year-old? Often coached by a volunteer parent or generalist with no formal training.

As pressure mounts to perform, the focus shifts to short-term wins—not long-term health.

Why We Built PTL (PIT Training League)

This is the exact gap PTL was built to close. PTL isn’t just a league—it’s a development platform designed to raise the standard in youth athletic training.

We exist to:

• Deliver age-appropriate, elite-level programming

• Reduce injury risk through structured progression

• Educate athletes, parents, and coaches

• Set a higher bar for youth development

PTL is led by Olympians, top-tier coaches, and experienced mentors who believe every athlete deserves more than just a shot—they deserve a system. More to come about this exciting program, stay tuned for updates and go check out the program’s website to learn more

Final Word

If you’re a parent, don’t leave your athlete’s development to chance.
If you’re a coach, your athletes are your legacy—let’s raise the standard.

The rise in physical therapy isn’t a trend. It’s a warning.

Let’s fix the foundation, not the aftermath.

Smart training. Real coaching. Elite standards.
PTL is that foundation.
Leave No Doubt.