Efficacy of strength training in prepubescent to early postpubescent males and females: Effects of gender and maturity

Abstract

There has been considerable debate concerning the benefits of children participating in weight training programs. With the potential benefits of such training in specific rehabilitation regimens, the safety/efficacy of weight training is a topic in need of scientific study. Fifty-two experimental and 39 control subjects participated in this study. A 2 x 2 x 2 (gender by treatment by Tanner stage) ANOVA was used to examine pre- to post-test differences in six strength measures, eight anthropometric measures, five motor performance measures, and one flexibility measure associated with participation in a 12-week progressive resistance programme. In addition, safety of the weight training programme was examined. For strength differences, there were two significant main effects favouring strength gains in males and four favouring the experimental group. For anthropometric changes, 3-way interactions occurred that were not easily explained. However, the predominant main effect was treatment; the experimental group generally experienced gains in body segment girths with decreases in skinfold thickness. For motor performance, the experimental group had greater improvements in three of five parameters. The experimental group also had significantly greater gains in flexibility. The weight training programme was associated with only one injury. These findings support the general observation that physical benefits can be gained safely by children who participate in a weight training programme.

Participation in sports in relation to adolescent growth and development

“…PHV timing, rate, and magnitude are not impacted by regular physical training or sports participation, as demonstrated by several research studies (4,8,11,14,15,18,19,56). However, regular weight training may positively change the FM/FFM ratio and contribute to increase FFM.…”

“…However, muscle mass growth may be relatively more pronounced among males due to the greater androgenic effects. Female adolescents reach a plateau of muscle strength increases by about age 15 years (2,4,15,19), while males demonstrate an acceleration of muscle strength around age 13 years. The peak increase in muscle strength follows a peak in muscle mass by about 12 months (2,8,15).…”

“…The peak increase in muscle strength follows a peak in muscle mass by about 12 months (2,8,15). Researchers have found that an adolescent's response to strength training optimal during SMR 4 and 5 in both male and female athletes (2,4,6,19,20). Some research has additionally shown that high intensity exercise in primary school children enhances musculoskeletal and metabolic outcomes in pre-and early-pubertal girls (21).…”

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

“…[1][2][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 recreational activities, 6,7 and may favorably alter selected anatomic 8 and psychosocial parameters. 9,10 The American Academy of Pediatrics, 11 the American College of Sports Medicine, 12 and the National Strength and Conditioning Association 1 support children's participation in appropriately designed and competently supervised resistance training programs.…”

Importance Of Pilot Study And Data Quality Control In Designing Complex Training Programs For Young Athletes

“…The training programs for this study were based on available data sources [4,11,13,24,25] that used both children and adolescents who were either non-athletes or athletes. As our resistance training programs were predominantly designed to evaluate how young Thai male athletes respond to the program, subjective information revealed that young Thai male athletes were highly capable of performing all exercise routines throughout the two weeks of study.…”