National Strength and Conditioning Association position statement on long-term athletic development

This NSCA position statement, written by an international author group and ratified by the NSCA Board of Directors, sets out a structured, evidence-based approach to developing athleticism in children and adolescents. It treats all young people as athletes, whether or not they play organized sport.

It responds to two problems: many youth get too little physical activity, while some young athletes face overuse injury from heavy competition without preparatory conditioning. It defines athleticism and long-term athletic development and reviews growth, maturation and trainability.

Its recommendations are condensed into ten pillars. They call for pathways that respect individual, non-linear growth, an early focus on motor skills and muscular strength, sampling a range of sports instead of specializing early, the child's health and wellbeing as the central aim, injury-reducing conditioning, monitoring, systematic progression, and qualified professionals using sound teaching.