The Importance of Youth Strength & Conditioning
Strength and conditioning are two of the main pillars for overall health and fitness. While some may not consider it for youths, it is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for all ages. The benefits that a youth can receive from strength and conditioning training are immense. Here are a few to consider:
Injury Prevention
One of the biggest worries that parents have when their child participates in sports is injuries. Sometimes they can be minor, but other times they may require doctors visits that can be costly.
This is why strength and conditioning training is important to youths, as strengthening muscles can help to prevent many of the injuries (especially the minor nagging ones) in a natural way. Movements and exercises that allow for muscle memory in youths will reduce the strain they feel that can further an injury.
Endurance
Heart health and blood flow is something that people need to start taking care of at a young age, and strength and conditioning training helps with that. Increased muscle mass helps to increase blood flow and conditioning training will assist in overall heart health, bringing heart rates to a normal resting level.
It is no secret that those that partake in endurance exercises are the ones that enjoy longer and healthier lives, and starting early can make that benefit even greater. This is also key for any youth that is looking to participate in sports long term that require a great amount of endurance such as soccer and cross country.
Development
Strength and conditioning training will help youths to develop with greater success than those that do not get enough of it. If there is a solid base for growth in a youth’s body, then the development will be more successful and peak condition can be achieved.
Growing in height and strength is helped immensely by strength and conditioning training as well as an increase in basic motor movements. This does not mean that youths will be pushed to the point of exhaustion, but teaching proper technique in strength training and enough to give them a challenge for self improvement.
Lifelong Health
Participating in strength and conditioning sets the table for a healthy lifestyle early. It’s natural for the human body to develop habits, and this is one of the best habits that can be developed. Once youths get into the habit of strength and conditioning, they will be able to do it through their adult lives, increasing the chance of a longer life.
Proper technique habits will also carry over into adulthood, further preventing injury and increasing health.
It’s important for young athletes to work with a qualified trainer who is used to working with kids. They often have an understanding of how to keep kids safe while getting the most out of their workouts. With the amount of benefits that come along with the training, there is no question that it is right for any child. It builds a lifelong style of healthy habits and improves a youth both physically and mentally.