Given the growing prevalence of youth who are overweight and obese and the associated health-related concerns, the influence of resistance training on the metabolic health, body composition and injury risk profile of children and adolescents with excess body fat has received increased attention.
Low intensity, long-duration aerobic exercise is typically prescribed for youth who are overweight or obese, but has a number of drawbacks compared to resistance training, says an international consensus of experts in a new position statement published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (Loyd RS, et al 2014):
"The available evidence indicates that resistance training has the potential to offer observable health value to sedentary youth and young athletes, and such training should always be designed by qualified professionals to meet the needs of all children and adolescents, regardless of body size or physical ability," the international panel concludes.
Loyd RS, Faigenbaum AD, Stone MH, et al. Position statement on youth resistance training: the 2014 International Consensus. Br J Sports Med 2014;48:498-505. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092952
Links:
[1] https://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/compelling-evidence-benefits-resistance-training-children-teens-experts-say
[2] https://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/well-designed-resistance-training-program-can-help-youth-athletes
[3] https://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/3-things-every-parent-should-know-about-resistance-training-youth-athletes