The development of speed in childhood and youth

Introduction

In my literature-based thesis, I have Development of speed in childhood and youth age deals with the age-dependent development of the speed using the example of the sprint. In the coming guest post, a section of my work, you will learn how the speed is set up or defined, which variables are decisive and which training forms can improve the speed.

Figure 1 shows that the neuromuscular system, the force, the coordination and mobility (with) are responsible for expressing the speed.

According to Schmidtbleicher (1994, p. 129), speed cannot be regarded as an independent motor capability. Grosser (1992, p. 394) also noted that the speed does not occur as a single “property” and by the schematic representation (figure 1) according to Wirth (2021) it becomes clear that the neuromuscular system, the force, the coordination and the mobility (with) are responsible for expressing the speed.

Main part

It is not possible to mention a decisive factor in the development of speed in childhood and youth. During the development of a child or adolescents, many changes are perceived at the physiological and co-ordinative level. Oliver and Rumpf (2019, p. 80) have shown that not a factor can be held responsible for the increase in speed in childhood.

Finally, however, it is clear that for the development of speed neuronal and also Effects of muscles are crucial factors. If anthropometric and biomechanical factors are taken into account in diagnostics, these two factors are important parameters. In addition to the already mentioned influencing variables, Elasticity of muscles and tendons to name. (Schmidtbleicher, 1994, p. 130).

The authors Sander et al. (2012) examined the development of the sprint performance by a strength training in an intervention with footballers (n=142) from the highest or second highest junior play class. Players in the age range from 13 to 18 years [age category A (younger 19 years), B (younger 17 years) and C (younger 15 years)] were divided into two groups within the age categories. A group leads in addition to football training one year a strength training twice a week. A second group participated exclusively in four football trainings per week. The strength training group completed the following exercises:

• parallel neck knee bow
• Front knee bow
• Bank presses
• Cross lift
• Rowing prevented
• Nail pressures
• Exercises for hull muscle
  
  

A Linear print over 30m was carried out to determine the sprint power. Seven double light barriers were used for the measurement and the players were able to decide on the start independently. The time was determined for the linear sprint from meters 5 and all further 5m. The test-retest correlations for the respective sprint distances gave r=0.94-0.98. The A- and B-Junior strength training groups showed significant better performance in the Sprint performance in the subsections 5m to 30m (p < 0.05), where no significant differences in the groups could be determined in the C-Jugend range, among the youngest participants. The authors Sander et al. (2012) note that the results should be carefully interpreted due to the low number of test persons and that another group of controls for untrained young people could not participate for organizational reasons. As a result, a Strength training a positive effect to the sprint performance, however, the transfer of strength increases in the knee bend to the sprint performance after one year of strength training is not very large. According to the authors, considerations should be given, already Previous start with a strength training to better ensure the transfer.

Another study by Sander et al. (2013) over 2 years with 134 junior footballers shows that two additional strength training units have led to significant improvements in sprint performance to the four football training units per week. Until this time, no study has been carried out in the youth football for 2 years. A strength training program with exercises of the knee bow (front and neck) has a positive effect on the performance in the sprint. The most recent test subjects showed significant differences between the training and control group in all sub-areas during a sprint test at 30m (p<0.001; p<0.01, d=0.7-0.9). These results illustrate the positive influence of strength training on the maximum force and performance in the sprint for junior footballers. Both the front and the rear knee bend showed a force development of 100 to 120% in the A and B cohorts. For the C cohort, an increase in force of 300% in 1RM was found. This shows that weight lifting exercises are suitable for training young footballers and increasing the performance level of the sprint. Young et al. (2001) recommend free weights in strength training to use to improve the sprint performance in the acceleration phase. The conclusion is that strength training, in addition to regular football training, shows more than 2 years better results than regular football training alone. Blimkie (1993) also reaffirms the use of free weights and expresses itself as follows:

“It is likely that improved motor coordination so contributes in part to these observed resistance training-induced strength gains. Improved movement coordination is probably a more important contributor to strength gains in more complex, multi-joint exercises, e.g. the 1RM arm curl or leg press exercises, than in less complex and more isolated actions such as those involved in isometric strength assessment of the elbow flexors or knee extensors.” (Blimkie, 1993, p. 399)

Conclusion

For Practice can be taken along that Trainability of speed in childhood and youth possible if the mentioned factors (neuromuscular system, force, coordination, mobility) which are responsible for improving speed are trained. Since the influencing variables of the muscles are essential for the development of speed (Schmidtbleicher, 1994, p. 130) and can be increased by targeted strength training (Keiner et al., 2013), can strength training be a meansto improve speed performance.

The findings gained in my work show that progressive strength training in addition to speed training in childhood and youth age can be a way to improve speed. It seems that the exerciseability of mobility and coordination is also given and plays a not inconsiderable role when it comes to achieving the maximum speed in a sprint.

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About the author Christopher Pinter:

18.12.1991

Athletics & Rehatrainer @therapiezentrum.com

previous clubs as coach:

Alemannia Aachen

FC Flyeralarm Juniors

Sources

Blimkie, C. J. (1993). Resistance training during preadolescence. Sports Medicine, 15(6), 389-407.

Grosser, M. (1992). Quickness. In P. Röthig (eds.), Sports Science Lexicon (Vol. 6, p. 394-395). Schorndorf: Hofmann.

Oliver, J. L., & Rumpf, M. C. (2019). Speed development in youth. In R. S. Lloyd & J. L. Oliver (eds.), Strength and conditioning for young athletes: science and application (vol. 1, p. 80-93). New York: Routledge.

Sander, A., None, M., Wirth, K., & Schmidtbleicher, D. (2012). Development of sprint performances through a strength training in junior performance football. Spectrum, 24(2), 28-46.

Sander, A., None, M., Wirth, K., & Schmidtbleicher, D. (2013). Influence of a 2-year strength training program on power performance in elite youth soccer players. European Journal of Sport Science, 13(5), 445-451.

Schmidtbleicher, D (1994). Development of strength and speed. In J. Baur (eds.), Motor development. A manual (vol. 1, p. 129-150). Schorndorf: Hofmann.

Wirth, K. (2021). Quick development - Strength training with children and young people. Retrieved 27.02.2021, from https://docplayer.org/73843664-Schnellkraftentwicklung-krafttraining-mit-kindern-und-jugschieden-klaus-wirth.html

Young, W., Benton, D., & John Pryor, M. (2001). Resistance training for short sprints and maximum-speed sprints. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 23(2), 7-13.