Short answer: it's pretty much never too soon. Before you get all uppity about stunting growth or something (which is not true), let me elaborate. Children can benefit from a good strength and conditioning program at any age. Believe it or not, the earlier they start a strength and conditioning program, the better. Keep in mind, strength and conditioning doesn’t just mean lifting weights.
More importantly, strength and conditioning involves working on proprioception, body control, motor patterns, jumping, landing, and deceleration. More importantly than becoming a better athlete, your child is becoming stronger and learning how to use their body in a way that will make them more resistant to injury in their given sport (and daily life). Younger children have especially malleable nervous systems meaning that the patterns they learn in elementary and middle school will stick with them through the rest of their lives- as opposed to trying to relearn poor patterns as a high school or college athlete. In a broader context, having your child engage in an exercise program can boost their self esteem, encourage them to be healthy and active, and lead to a lifelong appreciation for working out and healthy living. As long as your child is in a supervised, age appropriate program run by qualified professionals, a strength and conditioning program can benefit them well beyond making them better at their sport
Because knowledge is power
Coach Lily
No comments:
Post a Comment