Specificity of endurance, sprint and strength training on physical performance capacity in young athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Pediatric Sports Medicine

Background:

• Understanding the specific adaptations to different training modalities in young athletes is crucial for optimizing performance and development.
• Limited research exists on the long-term effects of endurance, sprint, and strength training on physical capacity in prepubescent athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the specific effects of endurance, sprint, and strength training on physical performance capacity in prepubescent athletes over a one-year follow-up period.
• To compare the adaptations between prepubescent athletes and a postpubescent weightlifter group.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study involving four prepubescent groups (endurance runners, sprinters, weightlifters, control) and one postpubescent weightlifter group.
• Assessment of VO2 max, maximal muscular strength, force-time curve, and dynamic explosive performance over one year.

Main Results:

• Prepubescent endurance runners exhibited higher baseline VO2 max.
• Prepubescent weightlifters showed significant increases in maximal muscular strength (21.4%) and dynamic explosive performance.
• Sprinters and weightlifters demonstrated similar improvements in leg extensor muscle force-time curves and explosive performance.
• Postpubescent weightlifters had greater muscular mass and maximal strength, with significant gains in neural activation and strength.

Conclusions:

• Both sprint and strength training lead to significant improvements in dynamic explosive performance in prepubescent athletes.
• Endurance training is associated with higher aerobic capacity in young athletes.
• Strength training yields substantial gains in muscular strength and neural activation, even in postpubescent athletes.