Strength & Conditioning for Youth

The World Health Organization recommends 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous activity and 3 days of muscle and bone strengthening activities per week for youth (Bull et al., 2020). Similarly, consensus statements recommend implementation of strength and conditioning (S&C) for youth (Bergeron et al., 2015). Despite these recommendations there is a decline in aerobic and muscular fitness in youth and there is global concern for their future well-being and health (Inchley, Currie, & Jewell, 2017).

An editorial published this month in the British Journal of Sports Medicine addressed this concern and the authors proposed a sound rationale for implementation of S&C within the school settings. Schools may provide a suitable context to support multidimensional health outcomes through education and exposure to appropriate types and levels of physical activity (Till et al., 2022).

 Qualified strength and conditioning specialists may greatly benefit the physical fitness, cognitive development and mental health of youth whether in a school setting or other extracurricular program. While chasing balls, shooting pucks and hitting baseballs are tremendous activities, participation in sports-based or game-based programs does not ensure a solid foundation of fitness and adequate progress of strength, neuromuscular control and motor skills. A focused and well-planned S&C program executed year-round may provide youth with the optimal stimulus for athletic development and overall health.