Essentials of Youth Fitness is an evidence informed, practical guide for fitness and strength and conditioning professionals working with younger clientele. Backed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and coauthored by three leading authorities in pediatric exercise science, this cutting-edge book reflects current research. It is built around the modern understanding that youth are not simply smaller versions of adults but are instead a special population with their own specific needs.

This is a must-have resource for professionals working with young clients. Readers will learn the scientific theories behind youth training as well as how to apply them to help design effective programs that maximize creativity, engagement, and fun.

This seminal resource is broken into three parts to systematically bridge the gap between science and practice. Part I lays the groundwork for understanding fundamental concepts of pediatric exercise science, including physiology, growth and maturation, long-term athletic development, and pedagogical strategies.

Part II is devoted to the assessment of youth fitness and development of fitness components, including motor skill, strength and power, speed and agility, and aerobic and anaerobic fitness, and it features a chapter on designing integrative training programs. This practical section will demonstrate the impact of factors specific to youth on fitness, and it will teach readers how to design programs to meet the needs of youth of varying abilities and different stages of development. Sample training sessions with accompanying exercise photos within each chapter offer clear visual guidelines for implementing exercises correctly.

Part III delves into modern-day topics specific to the youth population, including participation in organized sports and injury concerns; overweight and obese youth; those diagnosed with clinical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and physical and mental disabilities; and the role of nutrition in healthy lifestyle habits.

Learning aids throughout the text enhance comprehension and enable practitioners to quickly locate important information. Chapter objectives and key terms reinforce learning, while Teaching Tip boxes contextualize important themes and Do You Know? boxes illustrate practical application of the content.

Combining the science of pediatric exercise with the practice of designing youth fitness programs, Essentials of Youth Fitness provides professionals with the information necessary to create a safe, effective exercise experience that sparks an ongoing interest in active play, exercise, and sports participation.

Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.