Sex Differences in Resistance Training Participation and Beliefs Among Adolescent Athletes: An Exploratory...

Resistance training (RT) is widely recommended for adolescent athletes to enhance performance and reduce injury risk. However, sex differences in RT participation and beliefs during adolescence remain underexplored.

This exploratory cross-sectional survey included 108 adolescent athletes (62 females, 46 males; ages 13-18 years) recruited from sports medicine and physical therapy clinics. Participants completed a 29-item questionnaire assessing demographics, sport involvement, and RT participation and beliefs. Items included RT frequency, duration, equipment use, age of initiation, and enjoyment. Statistical comparisons between sexes were conducted using chi-square tests for categorical variables and independent-samples t-tests for continuous variables, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Overall, 71% reported regular RT participation. Participation was higher in males than females but did not reach statistical significance t) (80% vs. 65%, p = 0.07). Females reported beginning RT at a younger age than males (12.1 vs. 13.4 years, p = 0.01). No significant sex differences were found in RT frequency (3.1 vs. 3.5 sessions/week, p = 0.33) or session duration (56.3 vs. 68.8 min, p = 0.17). Males reported greater use of barbells (70% vs. 43%; p = 0.02) and weight machines (87% vs. 57.5%; p < 0.01). Females reported significantly lower enjoyment of RT compared to males (48% vs. 70%, p = 0.02).

This study describes sex-based differences in RT participation and beliefs among a convenience sample of adolescent athletes recruited from sports medicine and physical therapy clinics. Future research should prioritize developing and validating questionnaires to more accurately assess RT participation and beliefs and to guide efforts aimed at fostering positive, equitable training opportunities. Recruiting from a population outside of a clinic environment will enhance the generalizability of these findings.