High School Physical Educators' and Sport Coaches' Knowledge of Resistance Training Principles and Methods

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge that current and preservice high school (HS) physical educators and sport coaches possess regarding the principles and methods involved in youth resistance training (RT) and to determine if that knowledge was acceptable based on a predetermined criterion (passing score). A panel of 10 experts in RT or sport pedagogy used a Delphi technique to create a 90-question assessment (examination) that was administered to 287 HS physical educators and sport coaches and 140 university physical education teacher education (PETE) students. An analysis of the results revealed that neither group demonstrated the minimal knowledge necessary to design, implement, and supervise RT programs based on a passing score of 75%: HS physical educators/coaches, mean = 59.30, SD = 14.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 57.64-60.96], t(286) = -18.61, p = 0.000; university PETE students, mean = 56.61, SD = 16.59, 95% CI = 53.84-59.38, t(139) = -13.12, p = 0.000. The pass rate for physical educators and sport coaches was 14.3% and for university PETE students it was 20.7%. The results of this study indicate that both current and preservice physical educators and sport coaches need additional education and training specific to the design and implementation of RT programs for HS students. Given that school districts typically require their educators attend in-service training programs, it may be advisable to develop an in-service program that allows both current and preservice HS physical educators and sport coaches to earn an RT certification that specifically addresses the unique physical and psychosocial needs of school-aged youth.

Citius, Altius, Fortius: beneficial effects of resistance training for young athletes: Narrative review

“…Extreme conditioning protocols which include exhaustive metabolic resistance training programmes have been found to alter barbell back squat biomechanics and injury risk in trained adults76 and therefore this type of training would not be expected to favour optimal strength development in youth with limited resistance training experience. The development of a standard certification related to youth strength and conditioning is warranted 74 77…”

Long-Term Athletic Development, Part 2

“…For example, recently, it has been shown dized approach to school-based physical education should that high school physical education teachers' and youth offset the chances of exposing youth to isolated blocks of sport coaches' knowledge and understanding of youth resis-HRE that fails to produce long-term gains above and tance training is deficient and not consistent with the recbeyond that of growth and maturation. ommended guidelines (39,70). Consequently, it is imperative Of interest to the practitioner is how philosophies from that physical education teacher training programs provide athletic development modeling ( 5 8 ) can be integrated within trainee teachers with the relevant curriculum to ensure that, school-based physical education.…”

Integrating Resistance Training Into High School Curriculum

“…Resistance training for youth is becoming more prevalent in high schools as the safety and benefits of this type of training are gaining acceptance (42). However, there is a clear lack of specific guidance on programming for youth (57). A survey showed that high school physical education teachers and sport coaches, as well as university physical education students, may lack the required knowledge and experience to design, implement and supervise youth resistance training programs (57).…”

“…However, there is a clear lack of specific guidance on programming for youth (57). A survey showed that high school physical education teachers and sport coaches, as well as university physical education students, may lack the required knowledge and experience to design, implement and supervise youth resistance training programs (57). Therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide coaches and educators an example of how resistance training can be effectively implemented into secondary-school curriculum, as well as highlight some of the challenges faced by coaches operating in the high school setting.…”