Training & movement
B · Reasonable confidenceWhat resistance training does for strength in children and teens
Subject: Effects of Resistance Training in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-analysis
What this means
Resistance training clearly increased muscle strength in children and teens, with an average effect size of 1.12. Gains rose with age and maturity, with no extra boost during puberty.
Michael Behringer, Andreas vom Heede, Zengyuan Yue, Joachim Mester · 2010 · Pediatrics
What does this rating mean?
A solid systematic review with caveats, or consistent indications with a limited scope.
Findings
Resistance training produced a large, statistically significant increase in muscle strength in children and adolescents. Strength gains increased with age and maturational status, with no noticeable boost during puberty, contradicting the idea of a pubertal 'window' for trainability. Longer study duration and higher training frequency/number of sets were associated with larger effects.
Who this applies to
Healthy children and adolescents younger than 18, both before and after puberty.
What to keep in mind
Non-randomized trials were also included. Only muscle strength was assessed. Muscle endurance and jump tests were left out of the analysis.
Practical conclusion for REZA
Refutes the idea of a pubertal 'golden window' for resistance training — youth gain strength at any age, with the largest gains from longer, more frequent programmes.
View method and source
Methodology
Meta-analysis
Population
Healthy children and adolescents younger than 18 years, prepubertal and postpubertal, from randomized and non-randomized controlled trials
Intervention
Resistance training vs. control in youth; randomized and non-randomized controlled trials
Outcome measures
Muscle strength (muscle endurance and motor performance tests such as vertical jump were deliberately excluded)
Limitations
Included non-randomized controlled trials alongside RCTs, increasing bias risk; number of included studies/participants not stated in the retrievable record; strength outcomes only; published 2010, so a large body of subsequent youth RT trials is not represented.
Original source
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-0445 · PMID: 20974785
View on PubMed →This information is general education about scientific research. It is not personal medical advice and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or other healthcare professional. If you have symptoms, a medical condition or take medication, consult your GP or treating professional before changing your training or nutrition.