How Can Muscle-Strengthening Activities Be Promoted in School Settings?

This chapter examines the decline in muscular fitness among youth, highlighting its importance for physical and mental health. Over the last five decades, developed countries have seen a worrying decrease in children’s muscular fitness levels associated with poor motor skills, functional limitations, and adverse health outcomes. Despite its significance in overall physical activity (PA), muscular fitness, which includes muscle strength, endurance, and power, is often neglected in PA guidelines. We discuss muscular fitness dimensions, assessment methods suitable for schools, and the challenges of integrating muscular fitness activities into educational settings. These challenges stem from unclear terminology and guidelines, complicating teachers’ efforts to implement muscular fitness activities. The synergy between muscular fitness and aerobic activity is crucial for addressing exercise deficit disorders in youth. The chapter stresses the need for specific muscular fitness assessment methods and the role of schools in muscular fitness interventions. It highlights the potential benefits of muscular fitness activities on psychosocial health, motor skills, and lifelong PA habits, advocating for better implementation in school curriculums. Additionally, it outlines the obstacles teachers face, such as a lack of confidence and resources, underscoring the importance of professional development to enhance muscular fitness activity integration into whole school and physical education programs.