Development and Trainability of Neuromuscular Performance Across Childhood and Adolescence

Abstract

Neuromuscular performance – including strength, power, balance, and motor control – develops dynamically across childhood and adolescence. Its trajectory reflects the interaction of biological maturation, neural plasticity, and musculoskeletal development, making this period a key window for enhancing performance, preventing injuries, and supporting lifelong physical competence.

During childhood, strength and power increase gradually and, particularly in boys, accelerate around puberty due to androgen-driven gains in muscle size, tendon stiffness, and lean body mass. In girls, improvements are smaller and primarily related to neural and coordinative adaptations. Compared with adults, children typically display lower maximal and explosive force, reduced activation of high-threshold motor units, lower fatigability, and faster recovery, indicating efficient submaximal performance and high adaptive potential. These differences were summarized by the differential motor-unit activation hypothesis, which attributes them to a reduced recruitment of large motor units that predominantly innervate type II muscle fibers (Dotan et al., 2012). This aligns with our understanding that early strength gains from resistance training are primarily neural, while structural adaptations such as greater muscle cross-sectional area develop progressively with maturation and endocrine development.

Systematic analyses show that structured resistance and integrative neuromuscular training effectively enhance strength, power, and coordination in youth. A recent meta-analysis reported significant improvements in jump performance, maximal strength, dynamic and static balance, compared with traditional training, with the strongest effects in programs related to higher overall training loads (Wan et al., 2025). Strength training builds the foundation for force production, while subsequent power training further improves high-velocity actions such as jumping and sprinting. In line with this, strength-based programs yield larger gains in lower-body force, whereas power training enhances explosive output once adequate strength is established (Behm et al., 2017). This sequential model - developing strength before power - appears optimal for promoting neural efficiency, coordination, and joint stability.

Beyond performance enhancement, neuromuscular training supports musculoskeletal strength, joint stability, and movement mechanics. These adaptations benefit athletic development and daily function, improving health, motor proficiency, and well-being. Current knowledge on developmental pathways relies largely on cross-sectional data and reviews, while longitudinal studies covering key stages from prepuberty to late adolescence remain scarce. Addressing this gap, our own ongoing decade-study investigates neuromuscular and morphological adaptations over ten years to distinguish developmental from training-related changes. Preliminary data will be presented.

References

Behm, D. G., Young, J. D., Whitten, J. H. D., Reid, J. C., Quigley, P. J., Low, J., … Granacher, U. (2017). Effectiveness of Traditional Strength vs. Power Training on Muscle Strength, Power and Speed with Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 8, 423. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00423

Dotan, R., Mitchell, C., Cohen, R., Klentrou, P., Gabriel, D., & Falk, B. (2012). Child–Adult Differences in Muscle Activation - a Review. Pediatric Exercise Science, 24(1), 2–21. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.24.1.2

Wan, K., Dai, Z., Wong, P., Ho, R.S., & Tam, B.T. (2025). Comparing the Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Training and Traditional Physical Fitness Training on Physical Performance Outcomes in Young Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta‑Analysis. Sports Medicine – Open, 11, 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-025-00811-2