Benefits of Youth Soccer Specific Strength Training and Program Design Muscular Strength and Endurance
Improved muscle strength and endurance
Connective tissue build-up
Increased bone strength
Diminished injury risk
Cardiovascular Training
Early cardiovascular training can enhance athletic performance
Improve body composition
Lower risk of cardiovascular disease
Enhance the possibility of establishing a healthy adult lifestyle
Flexibility
Particularly important in youth because of its relationship to posture.
Diminished injury risk
Warm-up and cool-down
The benefits of a proper warm-up and cool-down are well known for both adults and children.
In children, a greater percentage of blood goes to the exercising muscle. This finding suggests that a gradual well designed cool-down is especially important for children. Use rhythmic, continuous lower- body movements, gradually decreasing in intensity, to help return blood to the heart.