Strength, Conditioning, and Resistance Training

In today's hyper-competitive youth sports environment, young athletes are constantly seeking ways to gain an advantage; so much so, in fact, that kids have begun rushing into the weight room in record numbers.  But doing so before laying a sound physical foundation first is a mistake, and one that can often lead to serious long term consequences.

Two-time Olympic track cyclist and mom, Erin Mirabella, talks about her experience with cross-training and offers advice to parents on helping their child find the right sport or cross-training regimen for them.

The purpose of lifting weights and resistance training in sports is simple: as a means to an end (improving performance), not as an end in itself (lifting more weight).  Understanding the basic benefits from good lifting technique and risks of poor sports training is critical to developing a purposeful and appropriate strength training program.

Static stretching improves flexibility over resistance training, according to conventional wisdom, but a new study suggests that strength training may work just as well, if not better, in increasing an athlete's flexibility.

Learning proper lifting form for young athletes helps maximize the benefits of strength training and conditioning, which include developing improved joint mobility, stability and control, core strength, balance and flexibility.

Because the growth plates at the end of the major bones in a child's arms and legs are open, their muscles and bones are still developing, and because their hormone levels aren't the same as adults, intense strength or resistance training for youth athletes is inappropriate before skeletal maturity.

Strength training during childhood and adolescence can improve strength by 30-50 percent, increase bone density,  and self-esteem and reduced risk of coronary heart disease, childhood obesity, says a new study.

When part of an appropriately designed exercise and nutrition program, resistance training can help battle two of the growing youth health epidemics: obesity and type 2 diabetes. In addition, a well designed resistance training program may help in preventing sport- and recreation-related injuries among youth athletes.