Background Resistance training is an effective way to enhance strength in female youth but, to date, no researcher has meta-analysed its effect on muscular strength in that population. Objectives This meta-analysis characterised female youths` adaptability to resistance training (RT). A second objective was to highlight the limitations of the body of literature with a view to informing future research. Data Sources Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science. Study Eligibility Criteria Resistance training interventions in healthy females with a mean age between 8 and 18 years. Programmes of between 4 and 16 weeks` duration that included a control group. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods The inverse-variance random effects model for meta-analyses was used because it allocates a proportionate weight to trials based on the size of their individual standard errors and facilitates analysis whilst accounting for heterogeneity across studies. Effect sizes, calculated from a measure of muscular strength, are represented by the standardised mean difference and are presented alongside 95% confidence intervals. Results The magnitude of the main effect was `small` (0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.23-0.85). Effect sizes were larger in older (> 15 years; ES = 0.72 [0.23-1.21] vs. 0.38 [- 0.02-0.79]), taller (> 163 cm; ES = 0.67 [0.20-1.13] vs. 0.55 [0.08-1.02]) and heavier (< 54 kg; ES = 0.67 [0.30-1.03] vs. 0.53 [- 0.00-1.06]) participants. Conclusions and Implications of Key Findings Resistance training is effective in female youth. These findings can be used to inform the prescription of RT in female youth. Key Points Resistance training is an effective way of increasing muscular strength in female youth. Older, taller or heavier female youths may be more responsive to training potentially owing to maturation-related increases in muscle mass. Programmes lasting 8 weeks, with two sessions per week and around 40 min per session seem most effective.
© Copyright 2018 Sports Medicine. Springer. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.