Among the body's mechanical systems that contribute to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, hamstrings, quadriceps, and knee flexor muscles are the most prominent components. A strength imbalance to any of these muscles can cause damage to ACL-associated ligaments (Takahashi et al., 2019). To reduce the incidence of such injuries, it is…

Pitching velocity is a crucial factor in effective baseball pitching performance. Upper-body-focused training is prevalent in baseball training to increase pitching velocity. However, significant pitchers, including youth league baseball players, suffer from upper body injuries due to the heavy training load of the throwing arm. This article…

Due to COVID-19, children have not been able to go to school and move enough since March 2020. In this process, the measures taken such as the prolongation of the stay at home, social isolation, and quarantine caused children to delay their physical activities and stay away from these activities. As a result, this may have caused weakness in the…

Because children and adolescents are not just miniature adults, it is important to know that children might be vulnerable to injury and may not respond positively to certain types or intensities of training. It is also important to recognize how training can positively affect growth and development, so it can be judiciously applied at critical…

Regardless of the sport or skill, it is essential to have correct biomechanical positioning, or postural control, in order to maximize energy transfer. Correct postural control requires a strong, stable core. A strong and stable core allows one to transfer energy effectively as well as reduce undue stress. An unstable or weak core, on the other…

Under the careful supervision of a trained fitness professional, the benefits of prepubescent strength training (improved strength, power, muscular endurance, bone density) outweigh the risks (acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries). (CB)

Guidelines are offered for the prevention and relief of lower back pain. The structure of the spine is described, and the functions and composition of spinal disks are explained. A list is included of common causes of abnormalities of the spinal column, and injuries which may cause the fracture of the vertebrae are described. Factors causing low…

The health benefits of engaging in regular physical activity are widely known: enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness, increased muscular strength and endurance, and favorable cholesterol and other profiles. Nevertheless, particularly in youth sports programs run by volunteer, and perhaps inadequately trained, coaches, many youth may not realize the…

One of the primary roles of physical education teachers is to incorporate health-related fitness and lifetime physical activity into their programs. It is also important for physical educators to stay current on evolving fitness trends that may benefit their students. For example, strength training, once thought to be detrimental to children, has…

This publication is a compilation of articles directed toward providing a better understanding of the various aspects of gymnastics and to promote a greater proficiency among educators, coaches, judges, leaders, and participants of sport programs for girls and women. Articles in the first section cover the technical aspects of gymnastics: (1)…

The training phase of a rehabilitation program for football players who have sustained lower back injuries proceeds after the pain-control phase, and seeks to minimize risk of reinjury. This phase emphasizes movement training and exercise for strengthening abdominal muscles to stabilize the lumbar spine. A removable exercise guide is included.…

Resistance training may enhance cardiovascular health, improve body composition, increase bone mineral density, reduce anxiety and depression, reduce the risk of injury during other sports, and increase muscular strength and endurance. The paper describes the effects of resistance training on: the cardiovascular system, energy expenditure and body…