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Free-weight resistance training in youth athletes: a narrative review.

McQuilliam, Stephen J.; Clark, David R.; Erskine, Robert M.; Brownlee, Thomas E.

Authors

Stephen J. McQuilliam

Robert M. Erskine

Thomas E. Brownlee



Abstract

Generating high levels of muscular strength and power are important for success in sport and may have long-term implications for sporting careers in youth athletes. Importantly, maturation may confound the neuromuscular adaptations to resistance training when attempting to differentiate between training- vs. growth-induced strength and power gains; thus, potentially leading to erroneous conclusions regarding the efficacy of resistance training in youth athletes. The aim of this review was to critically appraise the literature concerning the efficacy of externally loaded free-weight resistance training on strength and power measures in youth athletes at different stages of maturity. Strength underpins power production; thus, developing strength through traditional resistance training methods can positively influence powerful sporting movements. In addition, weightlifting has the capacity to improve muscular power via explosive lower-body triple extension, which is essential for many sports. Despite the complexity of the techniques involved, it can be a safe and effective method to improve athletic qualities in young athletes, potentially more so than plyometric training. While low-load, high-velocity training can have a positive effect influence on high speed movements such as sprinting, the reduced intensity appears to be disadvantageous post peak-height velocity. Irrespective of age, well-coached progressive strength training adhering strictly to correct technique can then be periodised within a long-term athletic development program. It is important to primarily develop muscular strength, while concurrently refining the technical skill required for weightlifting. Physically mature athletes should undertake high-intensity resistance training to maximise neuromuscular adaptations, leading to positive changes in strength and power.

Citation

MCQUILLIAM, S.J., CLARK, D.R., ERSKINE, R.M. and BROWNLEE, T.E. 2020. Free-weight resistance training in youth athletes: a narrative review. Sports medicine [online], 50(9), pages 1567-1580. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01307-7

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 23, 2020
Online Publication Date Jun 23, 2020
Publication Date Sep 30, 2020
Deposit Date Feb 2, 2024
Publicly Available Date Feb 2, 2024
Journal Sports medicine
Print ISSN 0112-1642
Electronic ISSN 1179-2035
Publisher Springer
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 50
Issue 9
Pages 1567-1580
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01307-7
Keywords Resistance training; Peak power training; Weightlifting; Intensity; Strength training
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2054627

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Publisher Licence URL
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2020. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.





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