Literature available on resistance training for ages 9-14?
Former Member
Does anyone know of any literature available that discourages resistant training in younger age groups? Two of my sons are swimming for a local club and the coach wants my 10 year old to use a drag suit and paddles. Before I confront the coach on this issue I need some literature that suggests resistant training in pre-puberty individuals is misquided. Does anyone know of any articles suggesting younger age groups should use more technique related drills instead of power driven sets? I need evidence against this practice to show the coach and other parents. My opinion isn't enough. I have a couple of Go Swim articles and articles off of the USA Swimming site, but I feel I need more.
Thanks for any response.
Parents
Former Member
Shark,
The American Academy of Pediatrics published a paper titled "Strength Training by Children and Adolescents" (I found it when I was researching whether my 10 year old should lift). It evaluates the pros/cons of resistance training for kids. It has a set of recommendations; the gist of it is that resistance training for kids can be safe and effective, provided proper technique is followed, and a low weight/8-15 rep program that covers all the major muscle groups is used. The paper has a fairly extensive set of references on resistance training that you could look into.
It seems to me that one of the key problems with paddles is that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to monitor technique when you have lots of kids swimming. If the coach wants to do resistance training, stretch cords would perhaps be a better alternative.
Dan
Shark,
The American Academy of Pediatrics published a paper titled "Strength Training by Children and Adolescents" (I found it when I was researching whether my 10 year old should lift). It evaluates the pros/cons of resistance training for kids. It has a set of recommendations; the gist of it is that resistance training for kids can be safe and effective, provided proper technique is followed, and a low weight/8-15 rep program that covers all the major muscle groups is used. The paper has a fairly extensive set of references on resistance training that you could look into.
It seems to me that one of the key problems with paddles is that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to monitor technique when you have lots of kids swimming. If the coach wants to do resistance training, stretch cords would perhaps be a better alternative.
Dan
