Fundamental movement competency is essential for participation in physical activity and for mitigating the risk of injury, which are both key elements of health throughout life. The squat movement pattern is arguably one of the most primal and critical fundamental movements necessary to improve sport performance, to reduce injury risk and to support lifelong physical activity. Based on current evidence, this first (1 of 2) report deconstructs the technical performance of the back squat as a foundation training exercise and presents a novel dynamic screening tool that incorporates identification techniques for functional deficits that limit squat performance and injury resilience. The follow-up report will outline targeted corrective methodology for each of the functional deficits presented in the assessment tool.

THE SECOND PART OF THIS REVIEW PROVIDES A FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO INTEGRATIVE NEUROMUSCULAR TRAINING (INT) WITH THE GOALS TO IMPROVE INJURY RESILIENCE AND TO ENHANCE SPORT AND MOTOR PERFORMANCE ABILITIES IN YOUTH POPULATIONS. THE PROPOSED MODEL OF INT IN THIS MANUSCRIPT PRESENTS 6 ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS: DYNAMIC STABILITY (LOWER LIMB AND CORE), STRENGTH, PLYOMETRICS, COORDINATION, SPEED AND AGILITY, AND FATIGUE RESISTANCE. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE 6 CAPACITIES ARE INTEGRAL IN ESTABLISHING AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION BY INITIALLY DEVELOPING FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILL COMPETENCY BEFORE BUILDING UPON THESE SKILLS TO ENRICH SPORTS-SPECIFIC AND ACTIVITY-SPECIFIC SKILL SETS. FOR A VIDEO ABSTRACT OF THIS ARTICLE, SEE SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT 1 (SEE VIDEO, http://links.lww.com/SCJ/A190).

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Based on the fundamental principles of pediatric exercise science and developmental physiology, childhood provides a critical window to develop the physical readiness of youth through age-related training programs that are designed purposely to teach and reinforce fundamental movement skills to enhance preparedness for physical activity and sport. Successful implementation of developmental programs requires age-related instruction by qualified professionals who understand the physical and psychosocial uniqueness of children and adolescents. An understanding of the interaction of physical and cognitive development is needed to design and implement training strategies that optimize training outcomes. Regular training with structured and integrative modalities throughout the developmental years as part of physical education, recreation, and sports practice can improve athletic performance while reducing common sports-related injuries and can facilitate the adoption of healthy lifestyles throughout adulthood. In this commentary, we outline cognitive developmental considerations in youth that may influence the design and implementation of training programs aimed at optimizing motor skill development in youth.