Eagle Vale High School is aiming to develop a high-performance facility capable of training a variety of fitness parameters.
One part of this is "weight" training which is considered an important part of the Targeted Sports Athlete Program. Students perform exercises that are age and strength dependent. This ensures every athlete is physically competent prior to moving onto the next stage of their training.
Junior athletes will focus on core and body weight/light weight exercises to improve technique and coordination.
Once the core competencies are established athletes will progress through a range of free weight, machine exercises and plyometric movements with continued focus on technique and safety.
When a student attends a weights room session, they will perform exercises from their sport specific, individualized program provided by the strength and conditioning coordinator (to be appointed).
They will, always, be supervised by the strength and conditioning coordinator or another qualified strength and conditioning coach. The athlete's sports coaches will often be present at the sessions to assist the strength and conditioning coordinator. At no stage will an athlete be expected to complete an exercise that is not appropriate for their experience, expertise, or physical competence.
There are some myths that circulate regarding the use of weight training and youth athletes. The usual ones are that weights will:
· stunt the growth of an athlete.
· damage the growth plates of a young athlete.
· will make an athlete to big, to slow or uncoordinated.
· will cause injury.
In fact, performing a weights program prescribed by an experienced strength and conditioning coach will allow none of these things to occur.
There has been much scientific research undertaken with regards to young athletes and strength training. All have found no damage to a young athlete’s growth plates or stunting of height. Weight training is very safe and with appropriate supervision has a lower rate of injury than court and field-based sports.
Like any training, sometimes in the short-term weight training may make an athlete slightly slower, and a little sore but in the long term, strength and power will be developed. Overall, weight training is a vital part of the physical development of an athlete. It helps reduce risk of injury, and improves an athlete's agility, speed, coordination, balance, and power.