Effects of Resistance Training in Youth Athletes on Muscular Fitness and Athletic Performance: A Conceptual Model for Long-Term Athlete Development

Abstract

During the stages of long-term athlete development (LTAD), resistance training (RT) is an important means for (i) stimulating athletic development, (ii) tolerating the demands of long-term training and competition, and (iii) inducing long-term health promoting effects that are robust over time and track into adulthood. However, there is a gap in the literature with regards to optimal RT methods during LTAD and how RT is linked to biological age. Thus, the aims of this scoping review were (i) to describe and discuss the effects of RT on muscular fitness and athletic performance in youth athletes, (ii) to introduce a conceptual model on how to appropriately implement different types of RT within LTAD stages, and (iii) to identify research gaps from the existing literature by deducing implications for future research. In general, RT produced small-to-moderate effects on muscular fitness and athletic performance in youth athletes with muscular strength showing the largest improvement. Free weight, complex, and plyometric training appear to be well-suited to improve muscular fitness and athletic performance. In addition, balance training appears to be an important preparatory (facilitating) training program during all stages of LTAD but particularly during the early stages. As youth athletes become more mature, specificity, and intensity of RT methods increase. This scoping review identified research gaps that are summarized in the following and that should be addressed in future studies: (i) to elucidate the influence of gender and biological age on the adaptive potential following RT in youth athletes (especially in females), (ii) to describe RT protocols in more detail (i.e., always report stress and strain-based parameters), and (iii) to examine neuromuscular and tendomuscular adaptations following RT in youth athletes.

Effectiveness of Traditional Strength vs. Power Training on Muscle Strength, Power and Speed with Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…In the recently published scoping review (Granacher et al, 2016), Granacher and colleagues were able to show small effect sizes following RT on measures of power in child athletes and moderate effect sizes in adolescent athletes. However, these authors looked at general RT effects only and did not differentiate between strength and power training programs.…”

Short-Term Seasonal Development of Anthropometry, Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Sport-Specific Performance in Young Olympic Weightlifters

“…Alternatively, late specialization with reduced levels of sport-specific training was recommended [9,10,44]. In fact, balanced and diversified development of physical fitness at early long-term athlete development stages appears vital for a successful career as an elite athlete in cgs sports [7,9,45]. Therefore, coaches are advised to follow an early diversification approach by targeting the development of a wide range of physical fitness components.…”

Strength and Conditioning for Adolescent Endurance Runners

“…A plethora of literature also exists that demonstrates ST activities are also a safe and effective way of enhancing proxy measures of athletic performance in adolescents of both sexes (10,41,46). Specifically, compared to sport-only training, various forms of ST augment improvements in maximal strength, explosive strength, muscular endurance, sprint speed, agility test time, tennis serve velocity, kicking velocity, throwing velocity, and general motor skills (10,40,41,46). However, there are currently no papers which have specifically summarized the effect of ST modalities on aerobic-related qualities in young athletes.…”