Pfeiffer, R. D., & Francis, R. S. (1986). Effects of strength training on muscle developing in prepubescent, pubescent, and postpubescent males. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 14, 134-143.

Prebuescent N = 30; age = 10.26 yr), pubescent (N = 30 age = 13.05 yr), and postpubescent (N = 20; age = 19.75 yr) males participated in a nine-week resistance exercise program. Exercises were performed in three sets of 10 repetitions, a level of work that is generally more than that used in studies on this topic with young persons. Elbow and knee extension and flexion strength was tested bilaterally on a dynamometer at two velocities.

All groups gained in strength in the activities except knee flexion. The pubescent group was similar to the others despite the "surge of testosterone" that is associated with growth at that time. The prepubescent group showed significantly greater gains in three of the sixteen tests, but that could be due to chance or the propensity to be able to gain more in those exercises.

Implication. Concerted strength training produces changes in training exercises in males irrespective of their ages pre- or postpubescence.

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