Have you ever considered getting your child involved in strength & conditioning training, but weren’t sure if it was the right approach for them?
Resistance training for young runners and athletes is an overlooked and misconceived area amongst athletes, sports coaches and parents.
Here are 5 reasons why children should take part in strength & conditioning training:
- 1. Contrary to popular belief it doesn’t inhibit bone development. Bones aren’t injured whilst taking part in strength & conditioning training; in fact weight training has a positive effect on young bones.
- 2. It prevents children from specialising in one sport at a young age; those that specialise during childhood, find it difficult to achieve success in other sports when they become older.
- 3. It improves their overall athletic ability and strength, lowering their chance of developing a long term injury.
- 4. It advances their strength and running speed at a quicker rate than regular sports.
- 5. Throughout their youth and adolescence, children are more likely to develop new skills & movement patterns. Strength & conditioning training helps to promote and encourage diversity in our nervous and muscular systems.
Whilst strength and conditioning training isn’t a well-known area amongst children and teenagers, it’s recommended under supervision. Pilates inspired exercises or Physio Group Exercise is a good place to start. Our Physios can develop a program to suit the specific needs of your child, taking into account the normal development and physical needs at different ages.
They will do this by discussing your child’s goals with you, as well as assessing their posture, joint mobility, flexibility and muscle control. A history of their previous and current injuries are assessed so that the Physio can determine their areas of weakness and set up a Physio Group Exercise program for them. To find out more, you can contact a Physio at your nearest location by pressing this link.