Integrating Strength and Conditioning into Schools

There is a need for youth to develop foundational movement skills and fitness, essential for lifelong physical activity. As such, integrating strength and conditioning in school settings is critical. However, a common focus on team games and sports may be hindering efforts to develop the necessary foundational skills and physical activity behaviours in youth. To overcome this, a progression towards holistic physical education is needed. This is physical education that includes strength and conditioning, to promote a diversified skill set and various aspects of health, performance, and well-being in youth. Unique barriers to strength and conditioning participation and programme delivery exist within schools, yet several solutions are available to maximise the success of strength and conditioning practice within schools. Strategic implementation approaches tailored to the specific needs of schools and student populations are required, as well as the identification of adaptations that may be needed amidst diverse school contexts – to enhance programme effectiveness and sustainability. When these approaches are followed, school-based strength and conditioning programmes can be successfully integrated into practice. Resistance Training for Teens and Burn 2 Learn are case examples of this, highlighting how to successfully implement resistance and high-intensity interval training, respectively, in secondary schools.