May the Force Be with Youth: Foundational Strength for Lifelong Development

Abstract

Today's youth are weaker than previous generations, and measurable reductions in physical fitness are beginning to emerge. Without targeted initiatives that recognize the foundational importance of resistance training, weaker children and adolescents may be more likely to experience the inevitable consequences of neuromuscular dysfunction and less likely to experience the pleiotropic benefits of exercise and sport. Early exposure to strength-building activities is needed to prepare today's youth for ongoing participation in varied physical activities throughout this developmental phase of life. The novel iceberg of physical development is a metaphoric image that illustrates the sequential and cumulative influence of muscular strength on motor skills and physical abilities. Efforts to enhance the physical capacity of youth should include resistive skills that improve basic movement patterns and enhance motoric competence. A shift in our conceptual thinking about youth resistance training is needed to alter the current trajectory toward physical inactivity and related comorbidities.

Resistance training effects on pubertal children with a risk of developing pediatric dynapenia

“…The reason for this may be due to the friendly and enjoyable atmosphere in the RT program, that was safe, well structured, and instructed by experienced instructors. Overall, our results were aligned with previous studies that recommend structured RT interventions for children to increase muscle strength, which is fundamental to develop physical capacities during childhood development (Faigenbaum et al 2018a , 2019 , 2023 ; Faigenbaum and MacDonald 2017 ). In fact, previous studies (Faigenbaum et al 2023 ; Lesinski et al 2020 ) have suggested that RT has the potential to enhance physical fitness in children beyond a level explained exclusively by growth and/or maturation.…”

“…All of them were free from any neuromuscular injury. This recruitment criterion was used as it was unlikely that resistance trained children would present concerning levels of muscle weakness and/or an increased risk of developing pediatric dynapenia (Faigenbaum et al 2019 , 2023 ; Faigenbaum and MacDonald 2017 ). Their baseline average (range) age, standing height, body mass, body mass index (BMI) and Tanner stage were 13.4 ± 0.9 (12–15) y, 163.4 ± 7.8 (154.9–177.5) cm, 53.0 ± 7.8 (39.4–61.8) kg, 13.1 ± 2.5 (8.8–15.9) kg.m 2 , and 3.4 ± 0.6 (2.5–4.5), respectively.…”

“…Other prospective studies have also shown that youth with muscle weakness have increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes during midlife (Fraser et al 2021 ; Timpka et al 2014 ). Thus, appropriate resistance training (RT) interventions during childhood that prevent strength loss are necessary to reduce or prevent the risk of developing pediatric dynapenia (Faigenbaum et al 2019 , 2023 ; Faigenbaum and MacDonald 2017 ). Strengthening exercises are also essential for the neuromuscular, cognitive and cortex structural development of youth, which influence on neurocognitive and motor development in later stages of life (Myer et al 2015 ).…”

Changes in Muscle Mass and Strength in Adolescents Following High-Intensity Functional Training with Bodyweight Resistance Exercises in Physical Education Lessons

“…Incorporating resistance training (RT) into initiatives aimed at improving the physical fitness of young people has proven effective [ 5 ]. Participating in RT once or twice weekly has been reported to reduce body fat, enhance PF, and promote a healthier lifestyle among adolescents [ 6 ].…”

“…It could be suspected that older ones could be more responsive to resistance exercises in terms of muscle mass and strength development, but there is the question of younger adolescents also benefitting from this type of intervention. Elevated muscle mass correlates with improved metabolic status, while fitness levels expressed as muscle strength are indicative of overall health [ 1 , 5 , 23 ]. Developing physical fitness in youth allows for maintaining it in the subsequent years of life.…”