WK12 Strength and Conditioning Considerations for Children and Adolescents

Flashcards covering growth, genetics, endurance, speed, agility, strength and nutrition.

What influences growth?

Genes, sex, ethnic origin, nutrition, emotions, pre-natal environment, physical environment, long term medication, activity, hormones.

How much do genetics influence from our parents?

Body size, body shape, adult stature, tempo of growth, Timing and rate of sexual development, Skeletal maturation, Dental development.

What are the maturity categories for boys and girls based on age of peak height velocity?

Boys: Early (13.1, SD 0.7), Normal (14.1, SD 0.7), Late (15.1, SD 0.9). Girls: Early (10.9, SD 0.9), Normal (12.0, SD 0.5), Late (12.7, SD 0.7)

What aspects of talent development should be focused on?

Playing 'up an age' will generally benefit a player long term. Ignore physical attributes and focus on skill and decision making.

What are some barriers to talented youth development?

Premature focus on winning not development, Undertraining and over-competing, General motor skills under emphasised in the early years, Male programs superimposed on females.

What are the stages of athletic development?

Movement, Specialized Training, High Performance

What are the key considerations for endurance training in children?

Endurance training is ineffective prior to 11. Pre training child base is better than pre training adult. CV system not developed till puberty. Aerobic capacity increases between 8-11. Activity, not training, is ideal. Sprint training activities in games lead to increased endurance.

How does endurance training change after puberty?

Post pubertal children respond specifically. Guidelines similar to adults; incremental program of game-based activities, SSG etc. Simply increase time, decrease numbers etc.

How can a 5 v 5 game on a 30*30m pitch be made more endurance based?

Change rules, use more goals, use your imagination!

What adjustments can be made to endurance prescription to increase dificulty?

Increase size of pitch, Decrease numbers, Use interchange, Manipulate time.

What are the key considerations for speed training in prepubescent children?

Pre pubertal poor prediction of adolescent speed. Work on balance, co-ordination and gross motor skills. Minor jumping ok. Minimal movement drills ok. Ladders/hurdles good for co-ordination.

How should agility be trained?

Mainly game-based situations.Train agility with set patterns! Different sports/games are excellent because greater exposure equals a greater number of tricks

How can agility/speed be improved on a 5v5 field

Greater numbers, smaller pitch. Change activity after t/o or goal. Change rules.

How should strength be trained at different stages of development?

Pre-pubertal: activity based.During/after puberty: body weight based then Once mature introduce weights, 2-3 sessions per week, 50-85% 1RM

What are the specific nutritional needs of children and adolescents?

Higher protein. Greater energy requirements. Use more fats than CHO. Greater awareness of dehydration. Typically, Calcium and Iron deficient.

What are the key conclusions regarding strength and conditioning for children and adolescents?

Elite adolescents SHOULD be trained as small adults. MOST aspects of physical conditioning can and should be trained with the ball during this period. Manipulate the drills to achieve the desired physiological effect.