The Effects of Strength Training on Skeletal Muscle

A diptych featuring a youth in two different strength training exercises. On the left, bar lift, on the right, medicine ball push, aided by a trainer.

We are conducting a study that is examining the effects of strength training on skeletal muscle strength and composition in youth ages 8 to 10 years. The composition includes a measurement of fats that reside in the muscle. All muscles contain fat, however, we believe a certain type of fat may be harming growth.

We have found that 24 sessions of strength training performed over 8 weeks improve muscle strength and reduces a certain type of fat in the muscle. In addition, bone health improved following the strength training intervention. Your child may serve as a control and not complete the strength training sessions. If serving as a control, your child will get to see how research is conducted in the field of exercise science!

During the study we will measure your child’s physical activity levels along with dietary intake. We measure muscle fats with imaging at the KU Medical Center.

If you are interested and your child is between the ages 8 and 10 years old, please submit your name, email, and cell number and I will get back to you soon.