An increase in youth sport specialization prevalence has been associated with an increase injury rate and a decrease in movement competence. However, movement competence has not been compared between the degrees of sport specialization in 8- to 12-year-old football players. The purpose of the study is to primarily observe the relationship between movement competence and the degree of youth sports specialization in 8- to 12-year-old football players using the Child Focused Injury Risk Screening Tool (ChildFIRST). Secondly, the study aims to observe the differences amongst positions and the association for injury prevalence. We hypothesize that youth football players with a higher youth sport specialization categorization will have a lower movement competency. We also hypothesize that there with be a difference in movement competency amongst football positions.
 
During practices in the 2023 football season, 8- to 12-year-old football players from the Montreal Regional Football League were asked to complete an injury and youth sport specialization questionnaire. Participants were then assessed using the ChildFIRST. There was no significant association between ChildFIRST composite score and youth sport specialization score. When looking at the differences amongst positions, linemen had a significantly lower ChildFIRST composite score mean than other positions. No association with injury and movement competence was observed. Future studies should continue observing the movement competency in 8- to 12-year-old football players differentiating by their playing position. Such findings could contribute towards the development of an evidence-based injury prevention program for youth football players.