Trends and Hotspots in Youth Strength Training Research: A Bibliometric Analysis of the 100 Most-Cited Articles

Objective: This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the 100 most-cited publications on youth strength training to identify influential literature, major contributors, research hotspots, and thematic development in the field. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection on March 20, 2026. After screening according to predefined criteria, the 100 most-cited eligible publications involving children, adolescents, or young athletes were included. Microsoft Excel and Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny (R) were used to analyze publication characteristics, source distribution, leading contributors, collaboration patterns, keyword occurrence, and temporal thematic trends. Results: The dataset included 100 publications published between 1984 and 2021 across 43 sources, involving 455 authors. The most-cited article was the 2009 National Strength and Conditioning Association position statement on youth resistance training. The literature was concentrated in a small number of core journals, led by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The United States ranked first in both scientific production and citation impact. The highly cited literature was mainly organized around six domains: guidelines and safety, athletic performance, obesity and metabolic health, neuromuscular adaptation, broader health-related outcomes, and applied implementation. Temporal keyword trends indicated a shift from early concerns with safety and developmental feasibility toward performance enhancement, health-related application, and evidence-informed practice. Conclusion: Youth strength training research has evolved from a safety-focused stage into a more mature and interdisciplinary field characterized by performance, health, and practical application. This study provides a structured overview of the field’s influential knowledge base and may help guide future research, evidence synthesis, and practical program design for young populations.