YOUTH STRENGTH TRAINING
When it comes to our youth being active and getting the amount of exercise needed to stay fit, many are inactive, with only one in four getting the recommended amount of activity in their daily lives. Screen time is at an all-time high, and with the internet being so accessible, it has become a default recreational activity, which hinders them even more. On top of this, PE programs in schools can limit the exercise needed due to cut funding or a focus on other curricula. As someone who competed in multiple sports and had access to PE in school, I want to provide an outlet for kids to become more physically active and give them a third space, which I will touch on later.
UNDERSTANDING RESISTANCE TRAINING SKILL LITERACY
While physical literacy covers a diverse spread of skill sets in a variety of environments, it is worth asking, “Is there a specific benefit to having youth in gyms and weight rooms?”. The short answer is, yes. The reason is that performing resistance training movements can grow one’s understanding of how to use their muscles and move their body. This skill is called resistance training skill literacy (RTSL).
THE DOMAINS OF PHYSICAL LITERACY
Physical Literacy is a relatively new topic in the health and wellness world. The term was first coined by Dr. Margaret Whitehead, a physical education teacher at the time, in 1993. She defined physical literacy as motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement with physical activity throughout life.