Middle School Boys Research Articles

Associations Between Multiple Types of Stress and Disordered Eating Among Girls and Boys in Middle School

Stress is common during adolescence, yet no known studies have linked particular types of stress (performance, relationship, education, financial, and family) with disordered eating among adolescents in middle school. The present study investigated sex differences in types of stress and how multiple types of stress were associated with girls’ and boys’ body dissatisfaction, dieting behaviors, and bulimic symptoms. We found that girls reported higher levels of stress than boys and that different associations between stress and disordered eating existed for girls and boys. We also examined a path model for both sexes such that stress first led to body dissatisfaction, which then led to dieting and finally bulimic symptoms. Our model was supported for girls with performance, relationship, and family stress driving the process. For boys, all five types of stress were associated with body dissatisfaction, which was linked with dieting; however, the relation between dieting and bulimic symptoms was not significant. Future research and therapy should focus on the unique experiences of each sex in order to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in coping with stress and promoting healthy development.

The Relationship Between Sleep and Weight in a Sample of Adolescents

Research to date in young children and adults shows a strong, inverse relationship between sleep duration and risk for overweight and obesity. Fewer studies examining this relationship have been conducted in adolescents. The purpose of the article is to describe the relationship between sleep and weight in a population of adolescents, controlling for demographics, energy intake, energy expenditure, and depression. This is a cross-sectional study of 723 adolescents participating in population-based studies of the etiologic factors related to obesity. We examined the relationship between three weight-related dependent variables obtained through a clinical assessment and three sleep variables obtained through self-report. Average caloric intake from dietary recalls, average activity counts based on accelerometers, and depression were included as covariates and the analysis was stratified by gender and grade level. Our results show that the relationship between sleep duration and BMI is evident in middle-school boys (β = -0.32, s.e. = 0.06: P < 0.001) and girls (β = -0.18, s.e. = 0.08: P = 0.02) but largely absent in high-school students. Differences in sleep patterns have little association with weight in males, but in high-school girls, waking up late on weekends as compared to weekdays is associated with lower body fat (β = -0.80, s.e. = 0.40: P = 0.05) and a healthy weight status (β = -0.28, s.e. = 0.14: P = 0.05). This study adds to the evidence that, particularly for middle-school boys and girls, inadequate sleep is a risk factor for early adolescent obesity. Future research needs to examine the relationship longitudinally and to study potential mediators of the relationship.

Effects of a Smoking Cessation Program using Self-regulated Learning Strategy for Middle School Boys

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a smoking cessation program using self-regulated learning strategy as an approach for middle-school boys to stop smoking.Methods:A one group time series study was utilized for the purpose of this study. A five-week smoking cessation program, based on the selfregulated learning strategy of Zimmerman (1989), was provided to 15 middle-school boys who were smokers. Data were collected from July to September, 2008 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA, and nonparametric test, Friedman, 2 related samples with SPSS/WIN 14.0 program.Results: Following the intervention, the participants showed significant differences on self-regulatory efficacy, cons of smoking, stage of smoking behavior change, nicotine dependency, urine cotinine levels, andCO expiration levels compared to those at pretest and those differences remained at 5 months after the intervention, except cons of smoking. Conclusion:This study suggest that the smoking cessation program using self-regulated learning strategy is effective for smoking cessation in middle-school boys and those smoking cessation behaviors remained for up to 5 months after the completion of the intervention. Broad application of the program would be beneficial for teenagers who smoke.

The Applied Philosopher-Scientist

This article uses an exemplar of phenomenological research of middle school boys, experiences of being bullied as applied philosophy and science to illuminate the intersection of the moral and scientific realms for theory-oriented research and practice. As a consequence, a clear foundation for advancing nursing science and envisioning innovative nursing practice with boys who experience being bullied is provided. Included is a weaving together of phenomenological perspective for research and practice, Roger's (nursing) Science of Unitary Human Beings (SUHB), and SUHB-derived middle range theories of self-transcendence and power.

Effect of teaching of self-regulated learning strategies on self-efficacy in students

A research underwent with the general objective of proving the effectuality of training in self-regulated learning strategies on self-efficacy in 2nd grade middle-school boys. The sample size consisted of 30 students, 15 each in experimental and control groups, and the method used was of a random cluster multiple-stage sampling type. The measurement tools consisted of questionnaires on self-regulated learning, and self-efficacy that were executed as a pre-test in both groups. After which, only the experimental group was administered training in self-regulated learning strategies for 18 sessions. After the training a post-test using the aforementioned questionnaires were taken from both groups. The data gathered were analyzed using the independent T-test - differences between means. The results showed the training of self-regulated learning strategies produced a meaningful rise in self-efficacy levels in experimental group than control groups

The effectuality of teaching of self-regulated learning strategies on mental health in students

This research has been undergone with the general objective of proving the effectuality of teaching of self-regulated learning strategies on mental health in 2nd grade middle-school boys in the city of Mashhad. The sample size consisted of 30 students, 15 each in experimental and control groups, and a random cluster multiple-stage sampling method was used on 2nd grade junior-high schools of both morning and evening shifts in sector 4 of the Heptagonal-zones of the Education Office in the city of Mashhad. The measurement tools consisted of MSLQ and GHQ-28 questionnaires that were initially executed as a pre-test in both groups. After which, only the experimental group was given teaching in self-regulated learning strategies for 18 one-hour sessions. After the teaching a post-test using the aforementioned questionnaires were taken from both groups. The data gathered were analyzed using SPSS software program and the independent T-test- differences between means. The results showed that there was no meaningful difference between means of mental health situation and its symptoms (physical complaints, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression) in both experimental and control groups.

IJU this issue

Masayuki Nakagawa M.D., Ph.D. Associate Editor In this issue there are three reviews, four original articles, three short communications, two letters to the editor and a meeting report. Among the three reviews, two relate to renal tumors. Samplaski et al. (Cleveland, USA) reviewed renal mass sampling from an enlightened perspective. Renal mass sampling has been performed to make a differential diagnosis, however the technique was not standardized and terminology remains ambiguous. In this review, they proposed a new classification in which all biopsies are categorized as non-informative versus informative, with the latter being subclassified as confirmed accurate, presumed accurate or confirmed inaccurate in order to stratify biological aggressiveness and guide management of renal masses. There are currently several nomograms for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Flanigan et al. (Maywood, USA) reviewed prognostic variables of RCC by focusing on various clinicopathological parameters and nomograms. They described how to use the nomograms properly in order to choose suitable treatment options for each individual patient. Tong et al. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) reviewed and compared the variations in disorders and health care of aging men in different Asian countries. They emphasized the poor understanding of the health care needs of men and recommended that a framework for a movement to advance men's health in each Asian country be set up. The prognosis of urothelial cancer (UC) in the upper urinary tract (UUT) has been reported to be poorer than bladder UC. Suyama et al. (Tokyo, Japan) reported that measurement of preoperative serum CYPRA 21-1 levels provides a prognostic value of UC in UUT. They showed that patients with high (≥2.7 ng/mL) CYFRA 21-1 levels had a statistically worse prognosis than those with low (<2.7 ng/mL) levels. Another study on micropapillary UC of the bladder, which is uncommon but aggressive, was carried out by Edgerton et al. (Atlanta, USA). They retrospectively analyzed 24 cases and found that a high percentage of this entity was significantly associated with male sex, regional lymph node metastasis and pathological stage. Therefore, they recommended that the micropapillary component in each specimen be quantified. Baek et al. (Seoul, South Korea) reported the results of a nationwide survey to evaluate the prevalence of varicoceles in middle school boys. They found that 16.5% of middle school boys had varicoceles and the presence was associated with a negative effect on testicular growth. Developing new biomarkers and drug targets for RCC is desirable, because there is no useful biomarker for detecting RCC. Minamida et al. (Sagamihara, Japan) attempted to identify overexpressed antigens in RCC using a proteomics technique. They reported that profilin 1 overexpressed not in normal kidney tissue but in RCC, might play a key role in the pathological process of RCC. Further study is necessary to confirm its significance as a biomarker for RCC. In the short communications, there are three interesting papers on prostate cancer and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The first short communication studies the relationship between prostate-specific antigen and obesity in prostate cancer screening. Kubota et al. (Toyota, Japan) analyzed 19 294 male subjects and found an inverse, but weak, relationship between prostate-specific antigen and body mass index. According to their results, we should be aware that the hemodilution effect might reduce prostate-specific antigen levels in obese men. Continence is a critical issue regarding quality of life in prostatectomy patients. Naselli et al. (Genoa, Italy) examined the incidence and risk factors of late-onset incontinence in 235 subjects who underwent radical prostatectomy. The result showed that 26 (11%) patients had incontinence, whereas the other 209 (89%) patients maintained continence. Aging (≥65 years) seems to be related to late-onset incontinence, although the difference was not statistically significant. Since the 1990s, new onset contralateral VUR has been reported in 7–21% of patients who received unilateral anti-reflux surgery for primary VUR. Matsumoto et al. (Izumi, Japan) investigated 34 patients with unilateral VUR and found that 16 (47%) patients had contralateral VUR detected by the positioning the instillation of contrast (PIC) method under general anesthesia. Therefore, they recommended the use of PIC at the ureteral orifice to predict new onset of contralateral VUR.

Editorial Comment from Dr Zampieri to Nationwide survey to evaluate the prevalence of varicoceles in South Korean middle school boys: A population based study

Editorial Comment from Dr Zampieri to Nationwide survey to evaluate the prevalence of varicoceles in South Korean middle school boys: A population based study

Editorial Comment from Dr Shiraishi to Nationwide survey to evaluate the prevalence of varicoceles in South Korean middle school boys: A population based study

Editorial Comment from Dr Shiraishi to Nationwide survey to evaluate the prevalence of varicoceles in South Korean middle school boys: A population based study

The Multiple Effects of Direct Instruction Flashcards on Sight Word Acquisition, Passage Reading, and Errors for Three Middle School Students with Intellectual Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to assess effectiveness of the Direct Instruction (DI) flashcard system in improving the sight word knowledge of three middle school boys with intellectual disabilities in a designed instruction classroom setting. Each participant was presented with three sets of 20 sight words and a multiple baseline, single-subject design was used to measure student progress. In addition, a passage reading probe was used to assess the ability of participants to utilize sight word knowledge within passage context. Overall results indicated a large increase in isolated sight word knowledge for all three participants following the implementation of DI Flashcard instruction. In addition, the passage reading data indicated a decreased likelihood that participants would inaccurately read their individual sight words in passage context. The issues related to employing flashcards in literacy instruction were discussed.

Nationwide survey to evaluate the prevalence of varicoceles in South Korean middle school boys: A population based study

We carried out a nationwide epidemiological study to evaluate the prevalence and effect of varicoceles on testicular volume in South Korean adolescents. We also investigated the correlation between varicoceles and body mass index (BMI). In this prospective study, physical examinations were carried out to assess the presence and severity of varicoceles in middle school boys from six regions of South Korea. Testicular volume, height and weight of all boys were measured. The prevalence of varicoceles was assessed. The associations between age, testicular volume, BMI, and the presence and severity of varicoceles were examined. A total of 1938 boys with a mean age of 14.1 years (range 13-16 years) were screened. A varicocele was found on the left side in 295 (15.2%) boys and on the right side in 8 (0.4%) boys. Bilateral varicoceles were found in 17 (0.9%) individuals. Of the subjects with a left varicocele, 151 (51.2%), 80 (27.1%) and 64 (25.1%) boys had a grade 1, 2 or 3 varicocele, respectively. The prevalence of varicoceles did not increase with age. The proportion of boys with testicular size discrepancies increased with the severity of the varicocele. After adjusting for age, BMI had a negative correlation with the presence of varicoceles. The prevalence of varicoceles in South Korean middle school boys is 16.5%. The presence of varicoceles seems to have a negative effect on testicular growth. BMI has a significant inverse relationship with the occurrence of varicoceles.

Biopsychosocial and Physical Correlates of Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ Body Satisfaction

Boys (n = 629) and girls (n = 659) in grades 6 through 8 in the U.S. completed self-report measures of pubertal development, weight pressures, internalization, social appearance comparison, self-esteem, depression, and physical self-concept, and objective measures of cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI. Regression analyses revealed that gender moderated the strength of the relationships between the variables and body satisfaction (girls—Adj. R2 = .49; boys—Adj. R2 = .20), though BMI, pressures, physical self-concept, and self-esteem were related significantly for each gender. Girls were most affected by pressures related to weight loss, whereas gaining weight and musculature was most salient for boys. Future research needs to examine longitudinally how these variables contribute to the development of body satisfaction.

Healing Patterns Revealed in Middle School Boys' Experiences of Being Bullied Using Roger's Science of Unitary Human Beings (SUHB)

Although two of the primary risk factors for being bullied include "male" and "middle school" status, a gap in knowledge exists of middle school boys' personal accounts and meanings of being bullied and their healing. Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological approach using open-ended semi-structured individual interviews was used to collect and analyze evidence related to middle school boys' lived experiences of being bullied and healing. Roger's Science of Unitary Human Beings (SUHB) guided interpretation of the healing patterns. Three patterns of healing were identified in boys' experiences: meaning-making, self-transcendence, and nonviolently claiming personal power. Evidence of healing patterns exists in middle school boys' experiences of being bullied, offering a foundation for further research and practice focused on healing. When working with middle school boys who have been bullied, nurses need to ask about their experiences and promote their healing.

A Longitudinal Investigation of Gender Role and Muscle Building in Adolescent Boys

Boys’ use of muscle building techniques during early adolescence is poorly understood. The present study investigated the impact of gender role intensification, investment in muscular media images, appearance social comparison, and attitudes concerning muscularity on the use of muscle building techniques. Middle school boys (N = 143; M age = 12.92 years) from the Midwestern United States completed questionnaires. They were re-assessed 7 months later. Structural equation modeling indicated that gender role intensification as well as Time 1 media investment, and social comparison predicted Time 2 media investment in the muscular ideal which was in turn correlated with Time 2 muscle building. Implications for prevention of body image problems and muscle building among boys are discussed.

The Effect of Sexual Education in Adolescent of Social Welfare after School Program

Objectives: To determine sexual education program would increase sexual knowledge and sexual attitude in adolescents of social welfare after school program. Methods: The subjects of this study were 31 middle school boys and girls in D metro- politan city. The data were collected from the January, 2009 to March 2009. This pro- gram consisted of 5 subtopics and provided 5 sessions. Study design was pre-test, post-test single group preliminary design. Results: Sexual knowledge was significantly increased in the post-test group than the pre-test group (t=-5.924, p=0.000). Also, sexual attitude was significantly increased in the post-test group than the pre-test group (t=-3.817, p=0.003). Conclusion: Sexual education program is needed to enhance sexual knowledge and atti- tude of adolescent in social welfare and functional broken home. They are lack of inter- relation with parents. Therefore, continuous, repeated sexual education program of ado- lescent in social welfare and broken home is necessary.

Inflammatory Adipocytokines as a Cardiovascular Risk Factors after Aerobic and Resistance Training in Obese Boys

Physical training of adolescence may lower the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) by mitigating inflammation which plays a key role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 12 weeks of aerobic and resistance training on interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in obese middle school boys. METHODS: Subjects were 12-14 year old male students, who were classified into three groups by training type (non-exercise obese group (NE) n=9, aerobic group (AG) n=9, resistance group (RG) n=8). Obesity was defined by the WHO guidelines for the Asia-Pacific Region (BMI > 25.0 kg/m2) Aerobic training consisted of rope jumping, running, cycling exercise and was performed for 40 min/day at 60-70% heart rate reserve for 12 weeks. Resistance training consisted of seven exercises, which included all the major muscle groups, and 2-3 sets of 15 repetitions with 60-70% of one repetition maximum. BMI, IL-6, TNF-a, hs-CRP, and VO2max were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of the program. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA (a=.05) for the training period training. RESULTS: BMI did not significantly change in any group after 12 weeks. However waist hip ratios (WHRs) of AG were significantly decreased from 0.87±0.07 at baseline to 0.86±0.07, 0.84±0.06 after 6 and 12 weeks respectively (p<.05). After 12 weeks of training, IL-6 was significantly increased in RG (1.45±0.93pg/ml vs. 1.89±0.42pg/ml, p<.05) but did not significantly change in NE and AG. After 12 weeks of training, TNF-a was significantly decreased in AG (9.91±3.34pg/ml vs. 8.43±2.41pg/ml, p<.05) and RG (9.10±2.24pg/ml vs. 8.71±2.80pg/ml, p<.05) with no significant difference seen in NE at any point. VO2max of AG and RG were significantly increased at 6 and 12 weeks vs. baseline (p<.05). However, there were no significant differences in hs-CRP at any time point among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the amounts of changes of IL-6 and TNF-a were not much because of the short training period, obese boys' inflammatory responses after 12 weeks of physical training were beneficial.

A Case Study: Middle School Boys’ Perceptions of Singing and Participation in Choir

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to learn about the perceptions of singing and participation in choir of the author’s eighth grade choir students. Specific areas of focus included insight on why the eighth grade boys sing and enjoy singing, perceptions of singing in a daily choir class, and perceptions of singing in an auditioned after-school choir. Primary data collection techniques included one formal group interview with the five boys, informal field notes, concert programs, difficulty level of choral music, and the author’s personal insights and observations as the boys’ choir teacher and participant observer. Four primary themes emerged: singing, other people, Choralier Men, and silliness. This study cannot be generalized to the general population of eighth grade boys or middle school choir. However, other middle school choral teachers may recognize similarities between the author’s teaching practices and their own, and benefit from consideration of these findings.

부산.경북지역 초.중학교 급식메뉴의 나트륨 함량 및 학생들의 나트륨 섭취 실태 조사

본 연구에서는 부산ㆍ경북 지역 초ㆍ중학교 단체급식에 함유된 나트륨 함량 및 초ㆍ중학생들의 나트륨 섭취량 실태를 조사하여, 단체급식 중 나트륨 함량 및 섭취량 데이터를 확보하고자 하였으며 나트륨 섭취 저감화 사업 등의 과학적 기초자료 마련에 기여하고자 하였다. 식품군별 나트륨 함량은 소스류(1459 ㎎/100 g)와 절임류(1165 ㎎/100 g)가 높게 나타났고, 이어서 구이류(894 ㎎/100 g), 조림류(786㎎/100 g), 김치류(737 ㎎/100 g), 볶음류(624 ㎎/100 g), 무침ㆍ나물류(444 ㎎/100 g), 튀김류(434 ㎎/100 g) 순으로 높게 나타났다. 초등학생들의 식품 섭취량은 주식인 면류(223 g/인), 일품식류(186 g/인), 밥류(122 g/인), 죽류(116g/인)가 높게 나타났고, 이어서 유제품(106 g/인), 탕ㆍ전골류(77 g/인), 국류(70 g/인), 찌개류(56 g/인), 과일류(44 g/인) 순으로 높게 나타났다. 초등학생들의 나트륨 섭취량은 주식인 면류(665 ㎎/인), 일품식류(558 ㎎/인), 죽류(329㎎/인)가 높게 나타났고, 이어서 탕ㆍ전골류(227 ㎎/인), 소스류(219 ㎎/인), 국류(200 ㎎/인), 구이류(194 ㎎/인), 찌개류(178 ㎎/인), 튀김류(159 ㎎/인)가 높게 나타났다. 중학생들의 식품 섭취량은 주식인 일품식류(325 g/인), 면류(323 g/인), 밥류(180 g/인), 죽류(156 g/인)가 높게 나타났고, 이어서 탕ㆍ전골류(131 g/인), 음료(123 g/인), 찌개류(98g/인), 국류(90 g/인), 유제품(76 g/인) 순으로 높게 나타났다. 중학생들의 나트륨 섭취량은 주식인 일품식류(1039 ㎎/인), 면류(819 ㎎/인), 죽류(530 ㎎/인)가 높게 나타났고, 이어서 탕ㆍ전골류(374 ㎎/인), 튀김류(330 ㎎/인), 찜류(323 ㎎/인), 국류(316 ㎎/인), 볶음류(295 ㎎/인) 순으로 높게 나타났다. 한 끼당 나트륨 섭취량은 초등학생의 경우 1인당 605 ㎎(저학년 남자), 572 ㎎(저학년 여자), 774 ㎎(고학년 남자), 730 ㎎(고학년 여자)이며, 중학생의 경우 1인당 1423 ㎎(남자), 1063 ㎎(여자)로 나타났다. 이상으로 보아 고학년으로 올라갈수록 학교급식 한끼를 통해 섭취하는 나트륨의 양이 한국인(9세 이상) 나트륨 상한섭취량인 2000 ㎎/day에 가까워지고 있음을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 학생들의 위해가능 영양성분인 나트륨의 섭취량 저감화를 위해서는 학교급식에 대한 나트륨 섭취 권고안을 만들고, 저감화 방안을 제시하며, 이를 식단에 반영할 수 있는 지침을 개발하는 것이 시급함을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구결과를 통해 나트륨 섭취 저감화 등 어린이 보건 향상을 위한 식품안전정책의 기초자료로 활용될 수 있기를 기대한다.

남,여 중고등학생의 체형분석에 관한 연구

To clarify relationship between those somatotypes of middle and high school students, 13 distributions of somatotype, and causes of body composition component change, those 310 of middle school and 322 of high school boys and girls were objected and their physique and body composition components were measured for Heath-carter`s somatotype classification. According to the study described above, we have observed results and concluded as follows. 1. Among those middle school students, boys showed as endomorph in 1st year, mesomorph-endomorph in 2nd year, and endomorph-mesomorph in 3rd year whereas girls showed as ecto-endomorph in 1st year and endomorph in both 2nd and 3rd year. Those high school students also showed that balanced mesomorph in 1st year boys and mesomorph-endomorph in 2nd and 3rd year boys while girls in 1st and 2nd year were endomorph and in 3rd year were mesomorph-endomorph. 2. Those specification of 13 somatotypes were distributed as mesomorph-endomorph, endo-morph-mesomorph, central, ecto-endomorph, and ectomorphic mesomorph, in order. 3. As a body composition component, fat in those middle school boys was gradually reduced but that in girls showed an intersection condition as it increases progressively, in more, those high school boys and girls showed a tendency to increase their body fat. Lean body mass (LMB) in all objects were shown to increase gradually and more fat was found when body density was low. Furthermore, as the grade (year) become higher body density in girls were shown to be lower than boy`s. 4. Both height and weight were gradually increased as they were grown and fat was found to be more accumulative in girls than boys. There some growth differences in both width and girth was found as boys showed higher growth rate. 5. Those correlations in obese components as those observed weight (height r=0.62) and LBM (fat mass r=0.65) in boys and also, fat mass (weight r=0.50) and LBM (height r=0.45, weight r=0.74) in girls were found to be significantly high (p0.0001), thus obesity was found to be higher in girls than the boys.

Effects Of A Sports Performance Training Program On Adolescent Athletes.

It is well established that resistance training can be safe and effective for children and adolescents. In addition, improvements in sports performance can be further developed through plyometric training and general instruction of fundamental movements. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a training intervention that combined strength, plyometric, and speed and agility training on sports performance in adolescents. METHODS: Twelve middle and high school girls and boys (aged 14.7 ± 1.7 years) participated in a seven week youth sports performance training (YSPT) intervention. The YSPT program met three days a week on non-consecutive days for ninety minutes. At baseline and after training all participants performed a static and countermovement vertical jump, push-ups, pro agility run, overhead medicine ball toss, and 40 yard dash. These skills were assessed for quality of the skill using a 1-5 Likert scale. Weight, height, sitting height, and years of experience playing sports and strength training were recorded. RESULTS: While vertical jump, overhead medicine ball toss, and the 40 yard dash all improved, the paired samples t-test revealed significant improvements only in push-ups (29.5 ± 18.6, 38.8 ± 15.8, P = 0.0) and pro agility (5.2 ± 0.4, 5.1 ± 0.3 sec, P=0.024) from baseline to after training. The Wilcoxon test demonstrated significant improvements in the quality of the skill only for pro agility. Pearson correlations performed between age and change in performance showed moderate relationships in vertical jump, overhead medicine ball toss, and 40 yard dash. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a short-term youth training program that focuses on sports performance may have a positive effect on upper body muscular strength and endurance and agility in adolescents. While this study supports positive adaptations to training in adolescents, it also suggests researchers should continue to investigate the effects of learning a skill on performance in this age group.