COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH AND THE SOCIAL FUNCTION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION: A REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE ON THE USE OF RESISTANCE TRAINING IN SCHOOL-AGED ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Given the increase in sedentary lifestyles among young people and the historically widespread myths about strength training for adolescents, this research evaluated the scientific evidence regarding the benefits, risks, and possibilities of using Resistance Training (RT) in school-aged adolescents. This is an exploratory, qualitative, bibliographic investigation, carried out on the SciELO platform using the descriptors "adolescents," "resistance training," "resistance training," and "weight training." The results indicate that RT, when properly guided and supervised, is safe for young people, does not compromise growth, improves body composition, reduces cardiometabolic risk factors, and exerts a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. Adverse responses were observed only in contexts of strenuous training associated with dietary restriction, a scenario distinct from school application. It is concluded that resistance training (RT) constitutes a viable, effective, and adaptable strategy for promoting the overall health of adolescents in the school environment, even with limited resources, although the need for new national studies to update the state of the art is evident.