Resistance Exercise for the Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Dynapenia

Abstract

Temporal trends of youth muscular fitness (i.e., muscular strength, muscular power and local muscular endurance) indicate that contemporary children and adolescents are weaker and slower than previous generations. Consequently, this generation of millennials appear to be just as vulnerable as older adults to the inevitable consequences of muscle disuse and neuromuscular dysfunction. The modern-day construct of pediatric dynapenia describes an identifiable and treatable condition in youth characterized by low levels of muscular strength and power and consequent physical and psychosocial limitations not caused by neurologic or muscular disease. An interaction of modifiable physical and psychosocial factors can influence the development and progression of pediatric dynapenia. Without structured interventions that target strength deficits and build strength reserves in a supporting environment, the divergence in performance between weaker and stronger children may persist into adolescence because weaker youth may be unable to break through a so-called strength barrier. Regular participation in a well-designed youth resistance training program provides an opportunity for youth to enhance their health and fitness while acquiring the physical skills and behaviors that support an active lifestyle. New insights have highlighted the importance of initiating strength-building interventions early in life to optimize performance gains in other important components of physical fitness. Developmentally appropriate resistance training should be integrated into school- and community-based youth fitness programs and strength-building activities should take a more prominent position in public health physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents.