Neuromuscular adaptations following prepubescent strength training

Ozmun, John C.; Mikesky, Alan E.; Surburg, Paul R.

doi:10.1249/00005768-199404000-00017

Cited by 171 publications

(145 citation statements)

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“…30 Although not assessed in this study, increases in motor unit activation, improvements in motor skill coordination, and perhaps some qualitative changes in the muscle have been suggested as possible mechanisms by which children increase their muscular strength in response to resistance training. 25,31 In our study, both training groups performed each set to concentric contraction failure, which is recognized as an important training stimulus for gains in adults. 32 Yet high-repetition training with a moderate load resulted in more favorable changes in upper body strength compared with lowrepetition training with a heavy load.…”

Section: Muscular Strengthmentioning

confidence: 93%

The Effects of Different Resistance Training Protocols on Muscular Strength and Endurance Development in Children

et al. 1999

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ABSTRACT. Background. Previous research has shown that children can increase their muscular strength and muscular endurance as a result of regular participation in a progressive resistance training program. However, the most effective exercise prescription regarding the number of repetitions remains questionable.Objective. To compare the effects of a low repetitionheavy load resistance training program and a high repetition-moderate load resistance training program on the development of muscular strength and muscular endurance in children.Design. Prospective, controlled trial. Setting. Community-based youth fitness center. Subjects. Eleven girls and 32 boys between the ages of 5.2 and 11.8 years.Intervention. In twice-weekly sessions of resistance training for 8 weeks, children performed 1 set of 6 to 8 repetitions with a heavy load (n ‫؍‬ 15) or 1 set of 13 to 15 repetitions with a moderate load (n ‫؍‬ 16) on child-size exercise machines. Children in the control group (n ‫؍‬ 12) did not resistance train. One repetition maximum (RM) strength and muscular endurance (repetitions performed posttraining with the pretraining 1-RM load) were determined on the leg extension and chest press exercises.Results. One RM leg extension strength significantly increased in both exercise groups compared with that in the control subjects. Increases of 31.0% and 40.9%, respectively, for the low repetition-heavy load and high repetition-moderate load groups were observed. Leg extension muscular endurance significantly increased in both exercise groups compared with that in the control subjects, although gains resulting from high repetitionmoderate load training (13.1 ؎ 6.2 repetitions) were significantly greater than those resulting from low repetition-heavy load training (8.7 ؎ 2.9 repetitions). On the chest press exercise, only the high repetition-moderate load exercise group made gains in 1-RM strength (16.3%) and muscular endurance (5.2 ؎ 3.6 repetitions) that were significantly greater than gains in the control subjects.Conclusion. These findings support the concept that muscular strength and muscular endurance can be improved during the childhood years and favor the prescription of higher repetition-moderate load resistance training programs during the initial adaptation period. Pediatrics 1999;104(1). URL: http://www.pediatrics.org/ cgi/content/full/104/1/e5; strength training, weight training, exercise, youth, preadolescent.ABBREVIATIONS. RM, repetition maximum; DCER, dynamic constant external resistance. I n the past several years, resistance training has proven to be a safe and effective method of conditioning for children, provided that appropriate exercise guidelines are followed.1-3 Although the capability of children to increase their muscular strength was questioned in the past, 4 current findings suggest that children may benefit from regular participation in resistance training activities. Reports indicate that youth resistance training may improve motor performance skills, 5 may reduce injuries in sports and recre...

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Section: Muscular Strengthmentioning

confidence: 93%

The Effects of Different Resistance Training Protocols on Muscular Strength and Endurance Development in Children

et al. 1999

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“…Observations of increased surface EMG [79,80,81,82,83,84] , increased motor unit firing rates [85,86] , cross education [82,87,88,89,90,91] and enhanced reflex potentiation [92,93,94] are consistent with the possibility but none provides conclusive evidence.…”

Section: 3 the Influence Of Resistance Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Voluntary Muscle Activation with the Twitch Interpolation Technique

2004

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“…Such gains in strength can be attributed to neuromuscular "learning," in which training increases the number of motor neurons that will fire with each muscle contraction. 2,6,7 This mechanism helps explain strength gains from resistance training in populations with low androgen levels, including females and preadolescent males. Strength training can also augment the muscle enlargement that normally occurs with pubertal growth in males and females.…”

Section: Benefits Of Resistance Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%