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To investigate the effects of strength training on the self-concept and self-efficacy of children, II boys and 4 girls (7-12 yrs.) participated in a twice-per-week strength training program, whereas 6 girls and 3 boys matched for age and level of maturity served as controls. All subjects were pre- and post-tested on the following measures: 6 repetition maximum (RM) leg extension, 6 RM chest press and psychological measures. Following the 8 week training period, the exercise group significantly increased their leg extension and chest press strength by 53.4% and 41.1%, respectively. Training did not significantly effect psychological measures. It is possible that ceiling effects in both the self-concept and self-efficacy scores precluded significant findings. Further research along with more sensitive measurement instruments are needed to more accurately evaluate psychological changes in children consequent to a youth strength training program.
Strength training is often prescribed as part of a well-rounded exercise program for adults and its popularity among children continues to increase. Previously deemed unsafe and ineffective for children (American Academy of Pediatrics,1983), strength training is now considered an important component of youth fitness conditioning programs (American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine,1988; Faigenbaum, Kraemer et al., 1996) and injury prevention strategies (American College of Sports Medicine, 1993). Improvements in various anatomical and physiological measures have been noted in children who have participated in appropriately designed and well-supervised strength training programs (Faigenbaum,1993). Related information on the psychological benefits of youth strength training is limited, however.
Data from adult populations demonstrate that the effects of strength training extend beyond physical measures and include improvements in mental health and well-being (Dishman & Gettman, 1981; Doyne, et al., 1987; Melnick & Mookerjee, 1991; Stein & Motta,1992; Tucker,1982,1983a). Tucker (1982) reported significantly higher values for self-concept and self-esteem (1983) in college-age men who participated in a strength training program and similar findings involving college-age men and women were reported by Melnick and Mookerjee (1991). Strength training has improved psychic vigor and physical self-esteem in men (Dishman & Geltman, 1981), and strength training appears to be just as effective as aerobic exercise in reducing clinical depression in women (Doyne et al., 1987; Stein & Motta, 1992). In the clinical setting, adult patients with higher ratings of arm strength self-efficacy achieved greater gains...