My child will play his sport into shape
This could not be further from the truth. While playing sports may help children be physically fit and active, it cannot get them into shape to prepare them for the rigors of competition. The activities required to learn skills for a sport do not provide children with the proper demands on the body to stimulate improved muscle and connective tissue strength (1). Kraemer and Zatsiorky, in their book Science and Practice of Strength Training,explain the benefits of strength training in young athletes as follows:
- Increased muscular strength and local muscular endurance
- Improved sports performance
- Prevention of sports injuries
- Development of lifelong exercise habits
They explain that, in the past 10 years, scientific evidence has shifted and supports that the benefits of adolescent resistance training outweigh the risks.
In their position statement on youth weightlifting the organization USA Weightlifting (USAW), the national governing body for the sport of weightlifting in the United States, summed up the myths and anecdotes surrounding resistance training best. The USAW wrote in their position statement, “The lack of data is the issue; the alarmist negative response by well-meaning physicians and scientists has done an immeasurable disservice to the sport of weightlifting. The sport is actually safer than is generally believed, especially if training and competition are appropriate for the age group and properly supervised.” (3)
This statement can also be applied to youth resistance training. The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) has highlighted six recommendations for youth resistance training. They are:
- A properly designed and supervised resistance training program is safe for children.
- A properly designed and supervised resistance training program can increase the strength of children.
- A properly designed and supervised resistance training program can help to enhance the motor fitness skills and sports performance of children.
- A properly designed and supervised resistance training program can help to prevent injuries in youth sports and recreational activities.
- A properly designed and supervised resistance training program can help to improve the psychosocial well-being of children.
- A properly designed and supervised resistance training program can enhance the overall health of children. (1, 2)
All of the other major organizations have weighed in favor of youth resistance training. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) along with the NSCA have all provided approval for youth resistance training, providing that there is adult supervision and that programs are designed by trained personnel specifically for young athletes.
Unfortunately, today’s youth are not getting the physical education at school and our society is leading a more sedentary lifestyle than ever before. With children participating in high level competitive sports at earlier ages and sports-related injuries increasing, it is vital that children participate in some type of resistance training to decrease incidence of injury and allow them to meet the demands of their sport.
References
- Kraemer, William J. and Zatsiorky, Vladimir M. Science and Practice of Strength Training: Second Edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1995.
- Faigenbaum, A., Kraemer, W., Cahill, B., Chandler, J., Dziados, J., Elfrink, L., Forman, E., Gaudiose, M., Micheli, L., Nitka, M., and Robers, S. (1996). Youth Resistance Training: Position Statement Paper and Literature Review. Strength and Conditioning, 18(6), 62-75.
- Pierce, Kyle C., Byrd, Ronald J., and Stone, Michael H. Position Statement Paper and Literature Review. USA Weightlifting.
