Youth Fitness Trainer Certification
The NFPA Youth Fitness Trainer certification is designed for individuals that work with or would like to work with youth in general fitness or sports specific training. Our main goal in creating this certification was to promote a true knowledge and understanding of safe, scientific based training techniques focused on each specific age group. Too often in the world of fitness, coaching, or teaching; the young athletes is viewed as a "mini-adult". This attitude puts the child/adolescent at risk for injury.
Through the NFPA's extensive research in creating the Youth Fitness Trainer certification it is quite clear that many of the injuries occurring in youth sports today can be avoided or at least minimized simply by understanding the guidelines specific toward that child/adolescents' age group. It is true that all sports carry a certain degree of risk that cannot be eliminated, but knowledge is power and we hope to enlighten individuals, giving them the ability to build a better athlete. Through this training we strive not only to promote safe athletic training, but also a healthy lifestyle that will extend into their adult lives. If you work with or would like to work with youth, this training is essential for you.
The NFPA Youth Fitness Trainer manual provide guidelines for each specific age group.
Prepubescent 6-10 years of age - Pubescent 11-14 years of age - Adolescent 15-18 years of age
The following is a list of chapter titles and the topics that will be presented in the seminar:
- Growth and Development
- Exercise Physiology
- Anatomy, Kinesiology & Biomechanics
- Training Principles of Physical Fitness
- Risk Factors and Considerations
- Fitness Assessment and Testing
- Endurance Training
- Muscular Strength
- Flexibility
- Speed and Agility
- Common Injuries and Prevention
- Sports Nutrition