Today, adolescents and young adults have a lower physical capacity compared to previous generations.
A large majority do not comply with the recommendation to perform at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) daily. Despite the fact that many recognize the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive benefits of physical activity, only one in five adolescents adhere to the international physical activity recommendations. Thus, data show a decline in cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength in young people worldwide; adolescents are participating less and less in sports activities; and consequently, today’s adolescents and young adults are physically weaker.
A study on the importance of muscle strengthening
An article published in the Current Sports Medicine Reports journal, titled “May the Force Be with Youth: Foundational Strength for Lifelong Development,” reveals the importance of muscular strength in adolescent and youth development and points to the need for intervention to prepare them for the rigors of active play, vigorous exercise, and athletic competition.
The study underscores the understanding of “dynapenia,” which is often associated only with loss of muscle strength in older people. However, muscle strength levels in childhood and adolescence tend to follow a continuous pattern over time, meaning that weaker adolescents are more likely to maintain that deficit as they become adults. Therefore, it is essential to implement a comprehensive approach that develops biomotor skills, such as strength, speed, and muscle coordination before adolescents and young adults lose interest in active play and sports activities.
Deficiency of muscle strengthening drives sedentary lifestyles in youths
The study also mentions that adolescents and young adults who have less muscle strength tend to focus on sedentary activities, such as watching television, playing video games, or using smartphones. These activities have negative implications on their health, as they are more likely to have poor cardiometabolic health and to develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.
These findings highlight the importance of fostering the development of healthy, capable, and resilient young people to adapt to difficult situations and face life’s challenges. Because being physically strong is elemental to developing and preserving resilience throughout life. In addition, strong young people are also less vulnerable to mental health disorders.
Therefore, this study aims to raise awareness about the affectations of muscle weakness in adolescence and to highlight the importance of acting early in their physical development before young people develop functional limitations, suffer injuries, or are unable to perform physical activities and experience costly health conditions.
Continue your professional training
With the realization that young people today face physical weaknesses and declining muscle strength levels, it becomes crucial to address these issues at an early age and provide young people with the necessary tools to lead an active and healthy life. Finally, the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (International Iberoamerican University, UNIB), offers the Master in Physical Activity: Sports Training and Management.
We invite you to be part of our master’s program. Gain the in-depth knowledge, advanced research skills, and practical experience needed to develop a promising career and become a leader in the field. Together, we can make measurable progress in promoting physical activity and nurturing the talents and potentials of youth. Your future in building an active and healthy world starts today!
Source: May the Force Be With Youth: Foundational Strength for Health and Performance
