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Focuses the developmental appropriateness of strength training for children. Safety and benefits of strength training on children; Demonstration of activities design and techniques; Citations on strength programs and guidelines.

The article presents abstracts of various medical studies published in various sports medicine journals. One study looked at the widespread use of nutritional supplements in high school athletes, with common misconceptions regarding purported benefits. According to another study, aerobic fitness is a valid indicator of blood lipid levels in children. Other studies looked at aerobic characteristics of young Kenyan Runners, strength training in adolescents with cerebral palsy, and gender influences on exercise beliefs and behaviors.

The effectiveness of a twice-a-week strength training program on children was evaluated in 14 boys and girls (mean age 10.8 yrs) who participated in a biweekly training program for 8 weeks. Each subject performed three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions on five exercises with intensities ranging between 50 and 100% of a given 10-repetition maximum (RM). All subjects were pre-and posttested on the following measures: 10-RM strength, sit and reach flexibility, vertical jump, seated ball put, resting blood pressure, and body composition parameters. The subjects were compared to a similar group of boys and girls (n = 9; mean age 9.9 yrs) who were randomly selected to serve as controls. Following the training period, the experimental group made greater gains in strength (74.3%) as compared to the control group (13.0%) (p < 0.001), and differences in the sum of seven skinfolds were noted (-2.3% vs. + 1.7%, respectively, p < 0.05). Training did not significantly affect other variables. These results suggest that participation in a short-term, twice-a-week strength training program can increase the strength and improve the body composition of young boys and girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraarterial blood pressure (BP) response to bench press weight lifting (WL) was evaluated in 11 children. Aortic systolic and diastolic pressures and heart rate (HR) were measured during WL. Baseline systolic and diastolic pressures were 120 and 81 mmHg, and HR was 86 bpm. Subjects lifted to voluntary fatigue weights equaling 60, 75, 90, and 100% of their predetermined one-repetition maximum (1RM). For each weight lifting condition, BP and HR increased as more repetitions were completed. Peak systolic pressure was 168, 177, 166, and 162 mmHg, peak diastolic pressure was 125, 139, 133, and 130 mmHg, and peak heart rate was 142, 148, 142, and 139 bpm at 60, 75, 90, and 100% 1RM, respectively. Peak BP and HR were greater during WL than rest but did not differ between conditions. The relative BP response to WL in children was similar to adult values. For all conditions, pressures increased as more repetitions were completed. It was concluded that peak pressures occur at voluntary fatigue, independent of the combination of resistance and repetitions used to achieve fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of resistance training for children has increased in popularity and interest. It appears that children are capable of voluntary strength gains. Exercise prescription in younger populations is critical and requires certain program variables to be altered from adult perspectives. Individualization is vital, as the rate of physiological maturation has an impact on the adaptations that occur, The major difference in programs for children is the use of lighter loads (i.e., > 6 RM loads). It appears that longer duration programs (i.e., 10-20 wks) are better for observing training adaptations. This may be due to the fact that it takes more exercise to stimulate adaptational mechanisms related to strength performance beyond that of normal growth rates. The risk of injury appears low during participation in a resistance training program, and this risk is minimized with proper supervision and instruction. Furthermore, with the incidence of injury in youth sports, participation in a resistance training program may provide a protective advantage in one's preparation for sports participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the effects of a group resistance exercise program on prepubescent children, an experimental group of boys (n=26) and girls (n=24), with a mean age of 8.4±0.5 years, participated in 12 weeks of school based training. The program consisted of upper body exercise using hand-held weights, stretch tubing, balls, and self-supported movements. A control group of boys (n=30) and girls (n=16), mean age 8.6±0.5 years, had a free-play period. Boys were significantly stronger than girls on all initial strength evaluations and were taller and had lesser skinfold sums. ANCOVA was used to evaluate pre/post changes in cable tensiometer elbow flexion and extension, right and left handgrip strength, pull-ups, flexed arm hang, sit-ups, sit-and-reach flexibility, and body composition parameters. Following the training period, significantly greater gains were made by the experimental group for right handgrip, flexed arm hang, pull-ups, and flexibility. Greater decreases in sum of skinfolds were also found. Training responses of boys and girls were similar. It was concluded that a group strength training program can be an effective means of increasing fitness levels and improving body composition in both boys and girls of this age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts of pediatric exercise studies from various sports medicine and pediatric journals. A study by C. Maffeis and colleagues looked at the energy expenditure and intake in obese children. A study by J. C. Ozmun and colleagues studied neuromuscular responses to strength training. Other studies researched how health behaviors of parents affect their children's health behaviors, home exercise training in cystic fibrosis patients, and aerobic and anaerobic characteristics of prepubertal swimmers.

The article discusses various procedures to introduce weight training to youth. According to studies, training intensity must not exceed the child's capacity in order to avoid negative consequences like injury. It encourages the students to become physically active to avoid obesity. It also discusses some beneficial factors about the strength development of children.

The article presents the official position of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) regarding resistance training, including weight training, for children and youth. It is noted that properly supervised exercise with weights is safer for children than many sports. The importance of proper exercise technique and safety protocol is emphasized, along with the need to keep the weight and intensity well within the limits of a child's ability.

Compares the effects of one and two days per week of strength training on upper body strength, lower body strength and motor performance ability in children. Performance of a single set of ten-to-fifteen repetitions on 12 exercises using child-size weight machines; List of exercises performed.

Discusses the risk of injuries faced by children and adolescents in strength training, weight and power lifting and body building. Examples of musculoskeletal injuries caused by strength training; Health effects of strength training in the prepubescent and pubescent athletes; Significance of training for coaches supervising strength training programs.

An abstract of the article "Wellness, Not Weight: Changing the Focus in Children and Adolescents" by Jenna Saul and Rachel F. Rodgers is presented.

Weight lifting in children and youth is often viewed as a potentially harmful activity that could result in damage to bones, connective tissue, and muscle. Reviews, such as the one appearing in this issue of the journal by Behm et al. (Appl. Physiol. Metab. Nutr. 33: this issue), show that the balance of evidence indicates that weight lifting in pediatric populations is safe. Importantly, weight lifting, when performed in a safe and age-appropriate manner, is very beneficial on a number of health fronts, including strength and balance, self-esteem, and reducing cardiovascular risks. This is an understudied area that is still lacking in key areas of research to establish efficacy, dose-response relationships, and other health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]