TRAINING IN ELITE YOUNG ATHLETES (THE TRAINING OF YOUNG ATHLETES (TOYA) STUDY) - INJURIES, FLEXIBILITY AND ISOMETRIC STRENGTH

Using a mixed longitudinal design, the incidence of injuries, and the development of flexibility and isometric strength of the upper and low er limbs were studied for 2 years in 453 elite young athletes (aged be tween 9 and 18 years) practising football, gymnastics, swimming or ten nis. The children suffered from a low incidence of injuries. Strength and flexibility did not exert a significant role in determining injuri es. The rate of injury was not significantly different between the 2 y ears of the study. Young swimmers showed a greater generalized flexibi lity. Girls were more flexible than boys between the ages of 13 to 16 years. Athletic children are able to exert greater isometric strength than normal schoolchildren. Boys diverged from the normal population a t 14 years, while athletic girls were stronger at all ages. Girls were stronger than boys up to age 12, who were still increasing their musc le strength at 19 years. The average maximal isometric strength exerte d in both upper and lower limbs in the four sports was not significant ly different. Male gymnasts over 11 years old were significantly stron ger than all other athletes.