ACSM Health & Fitness Summit

Faigenbaum-3

VII. Common Questions from Parents

A. At what age can my child start to lift weights?

B. Should my child play only one sport or different sports?

C. My child is active during sports practice...right?

D. What are the characteristics of a good youth fitness class?

E. What should I look for in a youth fitness coach?

VIII. Four Take Away Messages

A. A growing number of contemporary youth are ill-prepared for the demands of sports

practice and competition and the fitness industry is in an inimitable position to have a

positive influence on this trend.

B. Qualified health and fitness professionals should consider physical inactivity during

the growing years a modifiable risk factor that should be identified and “treated.”

C. FUNdamental Integrative Training (FIT) can enhance both health- and skill-related

components of physical fitness while reducing the risk of sports-related injuries in young

athletes.

D. In addition to enhancing muscle strength and improving motor skill performance,

health and fitness professionals should consider the critical importance of effective

teaching and mental engagement when working with children and adolescents

IX. Selected References

 Faigenbaum, A., Myer, G. Effective strategies for building young athletes, ACSMs

Health and Fitness Journal, 2012 :16: 9-16.

 Faigenbaum, A., Myer, G. Exercise deficit disorder in youth: Play now or pay later.

Current Sports Medicine Reports, 2012:11: 196-200.

 Faigenbaum, A. & Myer, G. Pediatric resistance training: Benefits, concerns and program

design considerations. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 2010: 9:161-168.

 Lloyd, R., Faigenbaum, A., Myer, G., et al. United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning

Association (UKSCA) position statement on youth resistance training, Professional

Strength and Conditioning, 2012; 26, 26- 39.

 Myer, G., Faigenbaum, A., Ford, K., et al. When to initiate integrative neuromuscular

training to reduce risk of sports-related injuries in youth? Current Sports Medicine

Reports. 2011 ; 9: 161-168.

 Myer, G. Faigenbaum,^ A, Chu, D. et al. Integrative training for children and adolescents:

Techniques and practices for reducing sports-related injuries and enhancing athletic

performance and in young athletes. Physician and Sports Medicine, 2011 : 39:74- 84