It is important that training providers and fitness professionals’ understand the issuing relating to younger exercisers.
Young soldiers and officers entering regular service from training should have reached physical maturity.
However, there will be those who are still developing both physically and mentally who should be monitored prior to and during physical activities.
Factors to consider when training young adults are:
- Risk of Injury: as with any weak or less able person, a young person who is underdeveloped will be at a greater risk of injury than a fitter, mature individual. When planning physical training, consider the individual’s ability.
- Environmental Resilience: young adults are more at risk of suffering breakdown and injury in adverse conditions. In the cold a lack of muscle to generate body heat can leave them vulnerable and in hot conditions acclimatisation takes longer. This could result in heat related illness if precautions are not taken.
- Training Status: the young person who has led a non-active lifestyle and has not been subjected to stress in physically demanding situations (e.g. sport, adventurous pursuits etc) is likely to be less able to cope than a more actively robust colleague.
