SHAPE MT 2026

In this interactive session, we’ll explore the essential movements every high school PE and strength program should include—and why they matter. We’ll discuss the importance of quality movement over heavy loads, walk through strategies for designing effective and progressive programs, and address common challenges teachers face when implementing strength training in schools. Participants will leave with practical, hands-on activities and programming ideas they can use immediately to create a safe, inclusive, and effective strength training environment for all students.

Teen female athletes are not just “smaller versions” of adult athletes—they are navigating rapid physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that directly impact how they move, train, and perform. During puberty, girls experience shifts in strength, coordination, body composition, and the introduction of the menstrual cycle, all of which can influence energy levels, recovery, and injury risk.

This presentation explores why training female athletes requires a more intentional and informed approach during these critical years. We’ll break down how puberty affects movement patterns, why injury risk (especially knee injuries like ACL tears) increases, and how coaches can better support their athletes through these changes.

More importantly, we’ll focus on solutions. Attendees will learn practical strategies to:

Build strength, stability, and proper movement mechanics
Support athletes through their menstrual cycle with awareness and flexibility
Create a training environment that fosters confidence, body awareness, and long-term athletic development

By shifting the focus from performance alone to education, empowerment, and sustainability, we can help female athletes not only perform better—but feel stronger, more confident, and more in control of their bodies.