Considerations for the Pediatric Endurance Athlete

The quests for performance gains in sport have become increasingly prominent over the past 30 years with steady increases in marathon participation, cycling, and triathlons. Children today are exercising for performance gains at an earlier age than ever before. It is imperative to recognize the medical considerations for such endeavors, including physiologic adaptations to training. With the following, we intend to illustrate the medical concerns associated with marathon and long-distance running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon participation. Additionally, we will review the literature in regard to exercise-induced adaptations to exercise in children.