Resistance training among young athletes: safety, efficacy and injury prevention effects

Abstract

A literature review was employed to evaluate the current epidemiology of injury related to the safety and efficacy of youth resistance training. Several case study reports and retrospective questionnaires regarding resistance exercise and the competitive sports of weightlifting and powerlifting reveal that injuries have occurred in young lifters, although a majority can be classified as accidental. Lack of qualified instruction that underlies poor exercise technique and inappropriate training loads could explain, at least partly, some of the reported injuries. Current research indicates that resistance training can be a safe, effective and worthwhile activity for children and adolescents provided that qualified professionals supervise all training sessions and provide age-appropriate instruction on proper lifting procedures and safe training guidelines. Regular participation in a multifaceted resistance training programme that begins during the preseason and includes instruction on movement biomechanics may reduce the risk of sports-related injuries in young athletes. Strategies for enhancing the safety of youth resistance training are discussed.

Figure 1

Reported high school “weightlifting” (ie, resistance training) participants after the induction of Title IX (school years 1973–2005) based on the participation estimates from the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Reprinted from Quatman et al. Reproduced by permission of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

Figure 2

Estimated number of “weightlifting” (ie, resistance training) injuries presenting in US emergency rooms between the years 2002 and 2005. Reprinted from Myer et al. Reproduced by permission of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

Figure 3

Percentage of injuries of the oldest and youngest age categories. Note that the small prevalence of leg injuries in the 8–13 years age categories provides invalidated results and should be interpreted with caution. Reprinted from Myer et al. Reproduced by permission of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.