ABSTRACT
Strength training is a general term concerned with regular exercise used for enhancing strength and strength-related characteristics, such as muscle hypertrophy, maximum force production, strength endurance, rate of force development, power and speed. Strength training can be viewed from the aspect of the type of equipment used or the goal being pursued. Strength training can involve bodyweight exercises, resistance-producing devices, such as stretch bands, or various machines, free weights (weight training) or, more commonly, combinations of this equipment. Strength training can be part of an overall programme for health or part of the training for sport. From a sport perspective strength training encompasses the competitive aspects of bodybuilding, powerlifting and weightlifting. Because the number of participants engaging in strength training has been increasing (Thompson, 2011) among all levels and ages of the population, it becomes increasingly important to understand potential consequences of the training process. This is even more important when the consequences concern more vulnerable segments of the population, such as children. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to briefly review the potential repercussions of the training process as it affects children and adolescents, particularly as it pertains to training for the sport of weightlifting.
