Strength training for children and adolescents enhances bone health

Back to school – sports training has positive outcomes

Strength training for children and adolescents enhances bone health

Strength training for children and adolescents is becoming more important as part of sport training and after-school fitness programs. Consequently, health problems due to inactivity, sedentary lifestyle and being overweight have resulted in increased interest in strength and resistance training (1). Today there is ample evidence that youth resistance training is safe and effective and improves motor skills, reduces fat mass, and enhances bone health. In addition, various performance markers such as muscle strength, power and overall health also improve (2-5). In adults, weight-bearing impact exercise such as jumping or hopping in addition to strength training can improve bone health. Among these, resistance training is the most promising intervention to maintain or increase bone mass and density (5, 6). 

Subsequently, measuring serum bone related biomarkers can be helpful in understanding normal and pathological processes that reflect bone cell activities in the skeleton.

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References on strength training for children and adoloscents 

1. Resistance Training for Children and Adolescents.
   Stricker PR, Faigenbaum AD, McCambridge TM; COUNCIL ON SPORTS MEDICINE AND FITNESS Pediatrics. 2020. 145(6):e20201011. doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-1011.
2. Performance – and health-related benefits of youth resistance training – Leistungs- und gesundheitsbezogene Wirkungen von Krafttraining mit Heranwachsenden.
   H.Chaabene H et al., 2020. Sports Orthopaedics and Traumatology; 36: 231-240.
3. Strength training for children and adolescents: benefits and risks.
   Barbieri D, Zaccagni L. Coll Antropol. 2013. 37 Suppl 2:219-25. PMID: 23914510.
4. Strength training for children and adolescents.
   Faigenbaum A. 2000. Clinics in Sports Medicine; 593-619.
5. Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) position statement on exercise prescription for the prevention and management of osteoporosis.
   Beck BR, Daly RM, Singh MA, Taaffe DR. J Sci Med Sport. 2017;20:438–445. 
6. Effects of Resistance Exercise on Bone Health.
   Hong AR, Kim SW. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2018. 33(4):435-444. doi: 10.3803/EnM.2018.33.4.435. PMID: 30513557; PMCID: PMC6279907.

 

RELATED LITERATURE

Youth Resistance Training: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly-The Year That Was 2017.
Faigenbaum AD. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2018. 1;30(1):19-24. doi: 10.1123/pes.2017-0290. PMID: 29424264.

Abstract

The good news is that a growing body of evidence recognizes resistance training as foundational to long-term physical development. Original research and reviews published in 2017 conclude that early exposure to developmentally appropriate resistance training can improve markers of health, increase muscular fitness, enhance physical literacy, and reduce the risk of injury in young athletes. Although the papers discussed in the commentary add to our understanding of the pleiotropic benefits of youth resistance training, they also raise concerns. As measures of muscular strength and power have been found to track from childhood to adulthood, the bad news is that youth with low levels of muscular fitness tend to become weak adults who are at increased risk for functional limitations and adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, global participation in youth resistance training is falling far short of public health recommendations, and these ugly trends will likely impact the health and well-being of future generations. A change in current attitudes and common practices is urgently needed to educate parents, practitioners, and clinicians about the potential benefits of resistance training for all children and adolescents, not only young athletes.

Metabolic syndrome: Operational definitions and aerobic and resistance training benefits on physical and metabolic health in children and adolescents.

Leister KR, Cilhoroz BT, Rosenberg J, Brown EC, Kim JY Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2022. 16(6):102530. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2022.102530. PMID: 35709585.

Watch this on how kids can get stronger muscles:   “Top 10 Kids Exercises To Get Stronger Muscles”

Strength training for children and adolescents enhances bone health