STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG ATHLETES

By Dr. Klaus J. Hempel and Dr. Hans-Henning Ohlert

The aim in the training of young athletes is to prepare them systematically for top
performances through long-term processes over many years. However, only a
few reach high performance level, mainly because their lack of ability. Others fail
for a variety of reasons, including wrongly planned training loads and damage to
the underdeveloped connecting and support tissue, which can be avoided.

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the support and movement system. All running, jumping and throwing actions
load heavily this system, particularly the spine that provides the axis for 24
movement elements. This makes young athletes, with their uncompleted
ossification and relatively poor development of trunk, back and abdominal
muscles, extremely injury prone.

Loads on the spine in the take-off, landing and driving actions, as well as heavy
lifting, can hardly be supported by the underdeveloped muscular system. In order
to avoid spine injuries, or even deformations, it is therefore important to employ
development procedures based on the understanding that:

1. An optimal combination of loading and recovery is necessary to adapt the

support and movement system to new loads.

2. The necessary loads to develop performance must be applied to a pre-

prepared support and movement system.

Both aspects must be looked at in a combined context, using the following

measures in training:

Continuing long-term increases of the load.

Individually applied loads that correspond to the biological potential

of each athlete.

Purposeful warm-up procedures before the main training load is

applied.

Regular changes between loads and recoveries.

Employment of exercises that protect the spine.

Systematic strengthening of the muscles around the spine.

From: Der Leichtathlet (German Democratic Republic) No. 36, September, 1988