In sport there are many contributing factors to the quality of performance of young athletes (S.R. Agustsson, & C. Willen, 2011; A. Cepulenas, V. Subacius, V. Bruzas, & P. Mockus, 2007; Sofia R. Augustsson, J. Augustsson, R. Thomee, J. Karlsson, B.I. Eriksson, & U. Svantesson, 2011). One such factor, strength, is associated with high levels of performance and elite athletes (C.A. Mohamed, 2011; G. Dasteridis, T. Pilianidis, & N. Mantzouranis, 2011). Though the initial stage of the athlete’s development is the most important and influential in deciding one’s success in the sport early on; beginning strength training for athletes at a young age is still controversial for many reasons depending on the author (C.A. Mohamed, 2011). The main role of strength training for young athletes is to start them off on the right path in order for them to reach there full potential and capabilities in future competitions (G. Dasteridis et al., 2011; C.A. Mohamed, 2011; A. Cepulenas et al., 2007). Strength training by itself does not necessarily produce outstanding results (Sofia R. Augustsson et al., 2011; S.R. Agustsson et al., 2011; C.A. Mohamed, 2011). The outcome is dependent on the effort of the individual and the structure of the program in general (Sofia R. Augustsson et al., 2011). Studies have shown that supervised, structured strength training programs have been reported to improve not only an individuals commitment to training but also to elevate one’s physical performance as well (S.R. Agustsson et al., 2011; G. Dasteridis et al., 2011; A. Cepulenas et al., 2007). Few to no studies however have looked into the impact of strength training on an athlete’s mental frame of mind in both training as well as competition.
The effects of certain strength training programs and exercises were tested
Running head: STRENGTH TRAING AND YOUNG ATHLETE’S PERFORMANCE 3 on young