In this Audio Overview, the podcast hosts discuss our article - Long-Term Athletic Development as a Framework to Influence Wellness during Childhood and Adolescence - from ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal which advocates for the Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD) framework as a comprehensive model to address the multifaceted health and well-being challenges facing youth today.
Here are a few key take-aways:
LTAD extends beyond competitive sports and provides a blueprint for engaging all young people in programs that promote both physical fitness and psychosocial well-being.
The core principles highlight the importance of understanding “the business of growing up” (normal growth and maturation), developing fundamental movement skills, and recognizing the critical roles of sleep and nutrition alongside physical activity.
Challenges to the implementation of LTAD include over-scheduling, lack of physical preparedness, and the importance of quality instruction and assessment in youth programs.
Full citation for the paper: JC Eisenmann, R Howard, T Moreno. Long-Term Athletic Development as a Framework to Influence Wellness during Childhood and Adolescence. ACSM Health & Fitness Journal. 24(5):24-31, 2020
