Youth-specific strength training methods
Strength training can provide a plethora of positive benefits to our youth as long as they are interested in strength training and the program that is directed for the adolescent is properly supervised preferably through the direction of a qualified strength and conditioning specialist or certified trainer to instill proper technique.
The benefits that it can bring are the creation of muscular strength and power, added muscular size and endurance and also it will increase anaerobic and aerobic capacity for a better cardiovascular assessment, and lastly mobility and stability. With these positive benefits, the youth athlete will improve their fine motor skills which in turn leads to improved sport performance.
When a youth becomes active in a strength training routine, their new-found muscle is more a reflection of a neuromuscular adaptation of their cognitive ability or their central nervous system as opposed to hypertrophy or muscle size. The youth starts to have an improved mind-body connection and a more efficient ability to connect and recruit motor neurons, their firing rate, and how they are recruited. When a youth recruits those motor neurons or units more quickly, it improves the coordination, rate of force development, and the ability to absorb more force all of which transcends to improved power output which benefits their sport/s. Additionally, the youth will be less susceptible to sports-related injuries. Other than the physical component, there are mental improvements that will improve their mindset, confidence, sense of pride, self-efficacy, and resiliency. This, in turn, will help them develop the much-needed mental toughness that is needed as their sports and adult life begin.