Free-Weight Resistance Training in Youth Athletes: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Generating high levels of muscular strength and power are important for success in sport and may have long-term implications for sporting careers in youth athletes. Importantly, maturation may confound the neuromuscular adaptations to resistance training when attempting to differentiate between training-vs. growth-induced strength and power gains; thus, potentially leading to erroneous conclusions regarding the efficacy of resistance training in youth athletes. The aim of this review was to critically appraise the literature concerning the efficacy of externally loaded free-weight resistance training on strength and power measures in youth athletes at different stages of maturity. Strength underpins power production; thus, developing strength through traditional resistance training methods can positively influence powerful sporting movements. In addition, weightlifting has the capacity to improve muscular power via explosive lower-body triple extension, which is essential for many sports. Despite the complexity of the techniques involved, it can be a safe and effective method to improve athletic qualities in young athletes, potentially more so than plyometric training. While low-load, high-velocity training can have a positive effect influence on high speed movements such as sprinting, the reduced intensity appears to be disadvantageous post peak-height velocity. Irrespective of age, well-coached progressive strength training adhering strictly to correct technique can then be periodised within a long-term athletic development program. It is important to primarily develop muscular strength, while concurrently refining the technical skill required for weightlifting. Physically mature athletes should undertake highintensity resistance training to maximise neuromuscular adaptations, leading to positive changes in strength and power.

Weightlifting for Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review

“…85 Indeed, under proper supervision, these activities are no more (and usually less) injurious than other sports activities. 1,47,70,115 Compelling arguments indicate that weightlifting training and related strength-training activities can substantially reduce the injury potential of other activities and sports 25,47,61,77,102 and enhance health-related outcomes and potentially longevity. 4,69,125 Although injuries in resistance-training sports are relatively low compared with other activities, 61 many injuries in training and competition that do occur are a result of acute and accumulative fatigue.…”

“…A number of performance related, physical, and physiological variables are altered by weightlifting training in children, adolescents, and young adults. 17,22,23,44,77,96,98,119 For example, among boys aged 11 and 12 years, weightlifting training produced distinct increases in strength and speed-strength parameters, as well as measures of cardiorespiratory fitness. 99 These data agree with both cross-sectional and longitudinal weight-training/weightlifting studies of late adolescents and adults that indicate positive alterations in indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance performance.…”

“…Recently published scientific information supports the notion that properly supervised resistance-training programs can improve sport performance, reduce injury potential, and enhance health aspects in these groups. 12,25,68,77,89,92 Although potential benefits of strength training are recognizable to most medical/scientific groups, weightlifting for children and adolescents is still a controversial topic. 70,90,92 The involvement of youth in the sport of weightlifting and the use of weightlifting methods as part of training for sport performance also appear to be growing.…”

Anthropometric and Performance Parameters of Japanese High School American Football Players: A Case Study of Selection for International Matches

“…The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) presented a position statement on long-term athlete development (LTAD) advocating for the implementation of systematic training and education programs by qualified professionals, along with various types of physical conditioning, to improve physical fitness, performance, and competitiveness (Lloyd et al, 2016, Lloyd et al, 2015. Resistance training in youth athletes can improve sprint speed, change of direction speed, and power (Loturco et al, 2019, McQuilliam et al, 2020. However, a survey of American football teams in Japanese universities revealed that approximately 90% of skill coaches are volunteers (Matsuo et al, 2019).…”

An Examination of Loading Profiles for Youth Athletes Performing the Hang Power Clean

“…It is imperative that competitive athletes produce large forces in relatively small timeframes during running, jumping, and cutting tasks (Channel & Barfield, 2008;McQuilliam et al, 2020;Meylan et al, 2015). To maximize this ability, athletes utilize resistance training exercises that produce maximal force in short time durations, thus enhancing their force-velocity profile (Morrissey et al, 1995).…”