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Trainability of young athletes and overtraining
Nuno Matos1, Richard J Winsley
1Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter , UK.
Journal of Sports Science & Medicine
|October 24, 2013
Summary
Young athletes can improve strength, anaerobic, and aerobic fitness through training, though gains may be less than in adults. Overtraining is a concern, affecting approximately 30% of young athletes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric exercise science
- Sports medicine
- Youth athletic development
Background:
- Adult exercise adaptations are well-documented, but young people respond differently to training stimuli.
- Overtraining in young athletes is under-researched, despite its potential impact.
- Resistance training is safe and effective for children, improving performance and reducing injury risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review exercise adaptations in young athletes across strength, anaerobic, and aerobic domains.
- To discuss the prevalence and contributing factors of overtraining in youth sports.
- To compare training responses in children versus adults.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on pediatric exercise physiology and sports training.
- Analysis of data on strength, anaerobic power, and aerobic capacity improvements in youth.
- Examination of evidence regarding overtraining syndrome in young athletes.
Main Results:
- Children exhibit significant muscle strength gains (13-30%) with resistance training.
- Anaerobic power improves in children (Mean Power 3-10%, Peak Power 4-20%), though mechanisms are unclear.
- Aerobic power is trainable (approx. 5% improvement), with potential benefits in exercise economy and lactate threshold without significant VO2 peak changes.
- Overtraining prevalence in young athletes is estimated at 30%.
Conclusions:
- Children's strength, anaerobic, and aerobic capacities are trainable, with distinct response patterns compared to adults.
- Overtraining is a significant issue in young athletes, necessitating further research into its causes and prevention.
- Appropriate training programs can enhance physical capabilities and reduce injury risk in young athletes.
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