Development of Muscle Function in Prepubertal Children As a Response to Growth and Resistance Training

"The RT intervention focuses on knee extensor muscles, following current guidelines. Children will attend two supervised 1-hour sessions per week, proven sufficient for adaptations. Trained coaches and a scientific assistant, supported by master students, will document the sessions. Sessions are spaced 48 hours apart, totaling 40 over 20 weeks, with eight sessions between PRE and MID.~Each session has three phases: warm-up, strength, and coordination. Warm-up involves whole-body games to increase heart rate and prepare for strength training. The strength phase, documented for effort and adjustments, includes squats, lunges, and step-ups, with intensity changes over time. Four sets of 8-12 repetitions per exercise are performed, aiming for strength increase and hypertrophy. Movements are done with great effort but not until voluntary failure.~The coordination phase focuses on age-appropriate strength and motor skills through a circuit of challenges."