How Long It Takes To Lose Speed, Power & Strength

Here's something many parents don't realize…

Your child's athletic abilities typically don't stay locked in forever.

Think of it like this:

Each physical quality has its own timeline when training stops.

Let me break down what research suggests happens when young athletes take extended breaks:

Speed Goes First (5-7 days)

This is the shocking one that catches most parents off guard…

That explosive first step your child worked so hard for?

Research says it can start fading after about 1 week without training

This is why we typically recommend some form of speed exposure weekly.

Power Tends Drops Next (2-3 weeks)

After about two weeks of no training, many athletes experience…

- Vertical jump decreases

- Explosive power diminishes

- Quick movements become slower

Strength Hangs On Longest

Most athletes can maintain their strength for about 3-4 weeks without major losses.

After that month's mark, we typically see it decline steadily.

Many young athletes end up in a cycle of: 

- Making progress in off-season training 

- Reducing or stopping training during the season 

- Seeing some regression in their gains 

- Having to rebuild in the next off-season

It's like taking two steps forward, and one step back.

But here's the thing parents need to know…

Your child doesn't need to fall into this trap…

The solution can be simpler than you think…

Even if time is limited.

Just 1-2 focused sessions can:

- Maintain important gains your child worked for

- Focus on essential movements that typically matter most

- And make the most of limited training during season

Parents, consider helping your child stay consistent all year round.

Even with a busy sports schedule,

Fitting in at least 1 or 2 training sessions per week can make a huge difference.

The sessions can be quick and focused, we know how busy sports season gets.

But completely stopping might not be the best strategy.

During the off-season, when schedules typically open up,

I often recommend increasing to 3 sessions per week for continued development.

Every athlete is different, and these timelines can vary based on many factors including….

Age,

Training history,

And genetics.

But these patterns tend to hold true for most young athletes. 

Have a great day,

Liam.

If you’re interested in learning more about youth athletic developement you can check out my podcast below!