591 Pediatric Exercise Science, 2013, 25, 591-604 © 2013 Human Kinetics, Inc. Faigenbaum is with the Dept. of Health and Exercise Science, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ. Lloyd is with the Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK. Myer is with the Divi- sion of Sports Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. Youth Resistance Training: Past Practices, New Perspectives, and Future Directions Avery D. Faigenbaum The College of New Jersey Rhodri S. Lloyd Cardiff Metropolitan University Gregory D. Myer Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Since the publication of the seminal review on youth resistance training by Kraemer and colleagues in 1989, a compelling body of evidence has found that resistance training can be a safe, effective, and worthwhile method of conditioning for chil- dren and adolescents. New perspectives for promoting resistance exercise as part of a long-term approach to youth physical development highlight the importance of integrating resistance training into youth ftness programs. Youth who do not enhance their muscular strength and motor skill profciency early in life may not develop the prerequisite skills and abilities that would allow them to participate in a variety of activities and sports with confdence and vigor later in life. The identifcation of asymptomatic children with muscular weaknesses or imbalances may facilitate the development of a management plan which should rectify move- ment limitations and educate children and their families about the importance of daily physical activity. While much of what we understand about the stimulus of resistance exercise has been gained from research on adults, over the past 25 years a compelling body of evidence has found that resistance training can be a safe, effective, and worthwhile method of conditioning for children and adolescents. In 1989, Kraemer and col- leagues authored a seminal review on resistance training for youth and presented an interactive model for the integration of developmental factors related to the poten- tial for training-induced strength gains in children and adolescents (28). Although some observers questioned the safety and effcacy of youth resistance training in the 1980s and 1990s, Kraemer and associates provided insightful program design considerations based on the available evidence and highlighted practical applica- tions for integrating resistance exercise into youth ftness programs (28). Official Journal of NASPEM and the European Group of PWP www.PES-Journal.com