From Sally S. Harris, M.D., MPH

Do children benefit from training programs to improve strength and endurance?

Prepubertal children can make gains in strength and endurance if the training program is of the appropriate duration, intensity and frequency. However, the gains achieved by training in prepubertal children are usually small and difficult to distinguish from the effects of growth alone. Therefore, until after puberty, training is of limited value and excessive training may contribute to increased risk of overuse injuries.