Resistance training in youth athletes: safety and long-term benefit

The evidence is now settled: supervised, technique-first resistance training in young athletes improves strength, bone density, motor skill, and injury resilience, and does not harm growth.

The historical myth came from studies of child labour, not sport. Modern paediatric research shows training loads in youth programmes are far below the mechanical stresses of ordinary play.

In practice: qualification and supervision matter more than equipment. Programmes led by qualified coaches, prioritising movement quality before load, deliver the benefits safely.