Friday, April 12, 2013

Is your child ready for their sport or life?

Youth or adolescent strength and conditioning have been a hot topic over recent years. There hare many common misconceptions about this subject. Most misconceptions are associated with improper training technique, volume, exercise selection, resistance and movement progressions. The American College of Sports Medicine has published that no serious injuries have been sustained through strength training, and that it will help reduce the number of injuries sustained while participating in activities. The positives associated with strength and conditioning far outweigh the negatives that are derived from misconceptions. Wayne Wescott wrote in Specialized Strength Training published in 2001, that the most effective way to enhance musculoskeletal development in boys and girls is through progressive resistance training. Here are some of the positive benefits strength training can provide your child: enhanced sports performance, increased strength and power, increased bone mineral density, improved motor performance, lower injury rates, and more positive view on a lifetime of physical activity. In the past, the most active time in a person’s life was their childhood but more sedentary activities dominate today’s kids, which prevents development of a strong musculoskeletal system. Children that follow a sensible strength training routine look, feel and function better and they will develop a lifelong pattern of activity. If your child participates in athletics, strength training should be required for their development. And, training should be continued through their season. For example, if your child plays one sport and does not train during that season they will have lost one year of training during their high school career. The After School Strength and Conditioning Program through Bigjoefitness and Fit Camps are based on sound youth strength programming, allowing your child to develop correct movement patterns, gain strength, and confidence.