Literature available on resistance training for ages 9-14?

The American Academy of Pediatrics published a paper titled "Strength Training by Children and Adolescents" Bayou Dan, Thanks for the link. I found it and will use it in my pursuit of children shoulder happiness.

Just to mention more shoulder injuries are caused by improper streaching. Geochuck, I appreciate your input. By the way, is it true that shaving in swimming was introduced by the Australians at the 1956 Olympics. The way I heard the story, it was the first time a team won every gold medal in a single sport. Since you were there, is this true? or an urban legend. Just curious.

I happened to be in a conversation with a few Australin swimmers and an Italian bike rider just before the 56 Olympics started. He was telling us that he shaved his legs. He said that it cut down on resistance and if he fell his scrapes from falling were less. He also said it is better not to have hair when getting a massage on his legs. Jon Hendricks was a blond fellow and was very hairy. I just can not remember if they shaved or not. I will try to contact one of the Aussies and will get back to you.

John Hendricks not a hair on his body in this photo it was taken at the 1956 Olympics.

Hey Brian, Based on your 1500 time...with the torture tube...you must have been one heck of distance swimmer (Brian Goodell initially came to mind...but he may have been a little faster). That said...you probably know all too well about shoulder strain. When I started swimming again in my early forties, I became a paddle junkey...until something went wrong...and it was excruciating to even reach over and scratch my back. Thankfully it was caught early, and they haven't been used since. Being a purist (no buoys, no paddles) gets a little boring. But older swimmers shouldn't take the risk if they want to continue training year after year. Kids on the other hand may not have a choice in saying no to the training toys, and should really be kept safe from injury when possible. Not all of them will have a shoulder breakdown...but since I began coaching age groupers these past few years...it was surprising to hear of the numbers from other clubs who wound up getting sidelined before the age of 18.

(Brian Goodell) it was surprising to hear of the numbers from other clubs who wound up getting sidelined before the age of 18. Brian Goodell I am not. I cannot be mentioned in the same class as he. A class of his own. I am trying to prevent kids (and for that matter, adults too) in my area from getting sidelined due to overtraining with bad technique. A perfect world is what I seek. Does it exist? Hmmm....

I contacted a guy who was around when they invented paddle use in swimming. I got a very spirited e-mail from him, somewhere in Florida. He suggested to use extreme caution when using paddles with children of prepuberty age. And even older age groups should use them to create good strokes, not for resistance training only. I like the way he flips his paddles around to use them for different strokes. It seems as if my search is proving to be fruitful. Three icons in a week. Now, if only Geochuck will tell me about Ford Kono it would be a great start to the weekend. "Shoot low men, their ridin' shetlands." - unknown

Ford Kono born same year as me only in January, I was born in May 1933. We raced a few times. He had a huge deep 6 beat kick. When he kicked in a pool his heals came out of the water but not his whole foot. He was known for his very deep kick his toes hit the bottom in the shallow end of the pool. His kick went down below the surface about 40 inches. He was very smooth and a pleasure to watch. Met him at Yale University at a swim meet for the first time and several times after that. His Idea was the foot should not exit the water when kicking during a race. But if you watch this video you will see him come 2nd in the 400m at the 1952 Olypics. There is a very short part of the video shows his stroke and a massive kick and a very straight arm recovery. www.ishof.org/.../olympic_highlights52.htm www.ishof.org/.../72fkonno.html

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. Your sons' coach is an idiot. Look at most health and fitness book for kids or PE training books for potential teachers.

Ford Kono born same year as me only in January, I was born in May 1933. We raced a few times. He had a huge deep 6 beat kick. When he kicked in a pool his heals came out of the water but not his whole foot. He was known for his very deep kick his toes hit the bottom in the shallow end of the pool. His kick went down below the surface about 40 inches. He was very smooth and a pleasure to watch. Met him at Yale University at a swim meet for the first time and several times after that. His Idea was the foot should not exit the water when kicking during a race. But if you watch this video you will see him come 2nd in the 400m at the 1952 Olypics. There is a very short part of the video shows his stroke and a massive kick and a very straight arm recovery. www.ishof.org/.../olympic_highlights52.htm www.ishof.org/.../72fkonno.html Thanks Geochuck. I love that historical stuff. Growing up in Ohio and competing at the old Mike Peppe Aquatic Center in Larkins Hall at The Ohio State University, Kono had this big black and white picture on the wall hung by Peppe himself along with all of the other great swimmers from Peppe's run in the late 40's, 50's and 60's. 11 NCAA Titles. I always wondered about that guy and how he swam. Great Stuff. "If if's and but's were candy and nuts, we'd have x-mas every day." - unknown