Abstract available in the Medicine and Sciences in Sports and Exercise.

The current manuscript has been adapted from the official position statement of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association on youth resistance training. It has subsequently been reviewed and endorsed by leading professional organisations within the fields of sports medicine, exercise science and paediatrics. The authorship team for this article was selected from the fields of paediatric exercise science, paediatric medicine, physical education, strength and conditioning and sports medicine.

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Introduction: The most popular method of stretching is static stretching. Vibration may provide a means of enhancing range of motion beyond that of static stretching alone. Purpose: This study sought to observe the effects of vibration on static stretching to determine whether vibration-aided static stretching could enhance range of motion acquisition more than static stretching alone in the forward split position. Methods: Ten highly trained male volunteer gymnasts were randomly assigned to experimental (N = 5) and control (N = 5) groups. The test was a forward split with the rear knee flexed to prevent pelvic misalignment. Height of the anterior iliac spine of the pelvis was measured at the lowest split position. Athletes stretched forward and rearward legs to the point of discomfort for 10 s followed by 5 s of rest, repeated four times on each leg and split position (4 min total). The experimental group stretched with the device turned on; the control group stretched with the device turned off. A pretest was followed by an acute phase posttest, then a second posttest measurement was performed following 4 wk of treatment. Difference scores were analyzed. Results: The acute phase showed dramatic increases in forward split flexibility for both legs (P < 0.05), whereas the long-term test showed a statistically significant increase in range of motion on the right rear leg split only (P < 0.05). Effect sizes indicated large effects in all cases. Conclusion: This study showed that vibration can be a promising means of increasing range of motion beyond that obtained with static stretching in highly trained male gymnasts.

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Within Exercise Science, there are ongoing debates among health and fitness professionals over exercise related health questions. It can be difficult to discern myth from science when there are poorly designed research studies or limited evidence to unequivocally answer the question. Therefore, the purpose of this symposium is-to have a panel of experts provide research-based evidence related to three controversial topics often posed to exercise science professionals. First, within the weight loss community there is frequent debate over the role of exercising in the fat burning zone for weight loss. Dr. Ed Howley will address the questions: what is the fat burning zone, and what is its significance for those trying to lose fat? Secondly, there has been an interest in the concept of a runner's high and some early research linked this phenomenon to brain endorphins. Dr. Pat O'Connor will address the questions: is there a physiological basis for euphoria associated with exercise and what role do endorphins play in this phenomenon? Lastly, the health related benefits of cardiovascular and resistance training are well documented, but the importance of stretching for health and sports performance is less clear. Dr. Mike Stone will address the questions: does research support the role of stretching in enhanced health and athletic performance and are there situations in which stretching might be considered contraindicative?

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