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participating in for the benefits of fitness as well as the excitement of competition. Training
techniques to optimize performance has lead to the adaptation of very rigorous and specific training
programs in adult competitors. The question and concern arises when these training principles are
applied to the young child runner. Is it safe for kids to train the same way as adults? more
14 November 2005
Having identified “Training the Elite Child Athlete” as a theme to be carefully studied, the IOC Medical Commission
(MC) last week held a meeting in Lausanne. Coordinated by Margo Mountjoy M.D, member of the IOC MC and Lyle
Micheli M.D., of the Harvard Medical School, discussions involved a group of experts including leading paediatric
sports medicine and scientific experts from around the world as well as a retired elite child athlete. During the meeting,
relative scientific literature was reviewed and safe guidelines were produced for the training of the elite child athlete.
At the end of its two-day meeting, the group of experts adopted a consensus (see below). This unique document
provides information on the principles of training the child athlete, the identification of overtraining, as well as specific
training recommendations. The purpose of this document is to improve the health and safety of the elite child athlete
through the promotion of safe training principles and increase awareness among all the persons in his/her entourage.
Click here to view the IOC Consensus Statement on Training the Elite Child Athlete
