Pre-Season Conditioning for Young Athletes - American College of ...

ACSM CURRENT COMMENTIn summary, while there may be many mechanisms for reducing sports injuries, theestablishment of general physical fitness should be a prerequisite for youth sportsparticipation. Preseason conditioning programs designed for the needs and abilities ofyoung athletes could offer a protective effect by enhancing the strength and integrity of themusculoskeletal system and developing general fitness abilities. Focusing on sport-specificskills instead of general fitness skills may not only limit the ability of children andadolescents to succeed outside a narrow physical spectrum, but it may also lead to burnoutand injury. As health professionals, coaches, teachers and parents, we all bear the sharedresponsibility of ensuring that aspiring young athletes are prepared for the demands ofsports training and competition.Written for the American College of Sports Medicine by Avery D. Faigenbaum, Ed.D. andLyle J. Micheli, M.D., FACSMCurrent Comments are official statements by the American College ofSports Medicine concerning topics of interest to the public at large.Street Address: 401 W. Michigan St. • Indianapolis, IN 46202-3233 USAMailing Address: P.O. Box 1440 • Indianapolis, IN 46206-1440 USATelephone: (317) 637-9200 • FAX: (317) 634-7817