
Strength Training for Young Football Players - Hugo Correia & Alberto Fílter | FSI Talks 12
Welcome to this new edition of FSI Talks. This time, we bring you a podcast on how to effectively perform strength training for young football players. We’ll learn how to optimize performance and prevent injuries in young athletes. We are pleased to have Hugo Correia join us for this episode. We hope you enjoy it!
Alberto Fílter · @alberto.filter
October 21, 2024 |
6 minutes
Share:
In episode 12 of FSI Talks, Alberto Fílter, coordinator of FSI Lab and podcast host, engages in a conversation with Hugo Correia, head of injury prevention and rehabilitation at the Olympique de Marseille academy.
During the discussion, they analyze the importance of strength training for young football players. They highlight how it impacts performance, injury prevention, and the long-term development of athletes.

The Importance of Strength Training in the Development of Young Football Players
Hugo Correia emphasizes that a solid strength foundation is essential for the physical and athletic development of young football players. This type of training not only enhances skills such as speed, explosiveness, and agility, but also significantly reduces the risk of muscle and tendon injuries.
A key approach is to personalize training based on each player’s age and developmental stage. This ensures appropriate progression and a balance between physical load and the demands of the sport, preparing players to face the challenges of elite football.
Recommended Methodologies and Approaches for Strength Training in Young Football Players
The talk delves into advanced methodologies for implementing strength training. Correia introduces the concept of comprehensive periodization, a model that combines gym training with on-field activities, tailored to the technical and tactical demands of the game.
Among the techniques discussed are:
- Regular assessments of strength and explosiveness.
- Training programs designed to correct bilateral asymmetries.
- Specific progression protocols to enhance neuromuscular strength and prevent overloading.
Additionally, the need to customize training for each player is emphasized to optimize their potential and ensure resilience against the physical demands of the sport.
Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation in Young Academy Football Players
Correia also explains how academies should approach injury prevention and management. The key lies in close collaboration between coaches, fitness trainers, and medical staff. The programs include:
- Micro-doses of preventive exercises: Incorporating specific activities to strengthen vulnerable areas, such as hamstrings and adductors.
- Continuous assessments: Monitoring asymmetries and muscle imbalances that may indicate risk.
- Progressive rehabilitation: Designing individualized protocols to ensure players fully regain their physical capacity before returning to the field.
Normative and Reference Values in Football
One of Correia’s most valuable contributions is his work on normative values in football academies. By establishing data-driven standards, academies can track player progress and adjust their programs to achieve optimal results.
Correia emphasizes the importance of conducting evaluations under controlled conditions to obtain reliable data. This approach helps identify specific areas for improvement, optimize performance, and minimize unnecessary risks.
Final Reflections from This Conversation
The episode concludes with a reflection on the need for a collaborative and evidence-based approach in youth training. With the support of experts like Hugo Correia, football academies have the necessary tools to develop stronger, more resilient players who are better prepared for the challenges of professional football.

Want to Stay Updated on the Latest News?
Stay informed about everything happening in the FSI Training ecosystem by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media.
Post Author
Alberto Fílter holds a PhD in Football from the Pablo de Olavide University of Seville, as well as a Master’s degree in Physical and Sports High Performance from the same institution.
Table Of Contents
Are you interested in learning more about this topic?
Strength Training for Young Football Players - Hugo Correia & Alberto Fílter | FSI Talks 12
Welcome to this new edition of FSI Talks. This time, we bring you a podcast on how to effectively perform strength training for young football players. We’ll learn how to optimize performance and prevent injuries in young athletes. We are pleased to have Hugo Correia join us for this episode. We hope you enjoy it!
October 21, 2024 |
6 minutes
In episode 12 of FSI Talks, Alberto Fílter, coordinator of FSI Lab and podcast host, engages in a conversation with Hugo Correia, head of injury prevention and rehabilitation at the Olympique de Marseille academy.
During the discussion, they analyze the importance of strength training for young football players. They highlight how it impacts performance, injury prevention, and the long-term development of athletes.

The Importance of Strength Training in the Development of Young Football Players
Hugo Correia emphasizes that a solid strength foundation is essential for the physical and athletic development of young football players. This type of training not only enhances skills such as speed, explosiveness, and agility, but also significantly reduces the risk of muscle and tendon injuries.
A key approach is to personalize training based on each player’s age and developmental stage. This ensures appropriate progression and a balance between physical load and the demands of the sport, preparing players to face the challenges of elite football.
Recommended Methodologies and Approaches for Strength Training in Young Football Players
The talk delves into advanced methodologies for implementing strength training. Correia introduces the concept of comprehensive periodization, a model that combines gym training with on-field activities, tailored to the technical and tactical demands of the game.
Among the techniques discussed are:
- Regular assessments of strength and explosiveness.
- Training programs designed to correct bilateral asymmetries.
- Specific progression protocols to enhance neuromuscular strength and prevent overloading.
Additionally, the need to customize training for each player is emphasized to optimize their potential and ensure resilience against the physical demands of the sport.
Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation in Young Academy Football Players
Correia also explains how academies should approach injury prevention and management. The key lies in close collaboration between coaches, fitness trainers, and medical staff. The programs include:
- Micro-doses of preventive exercises: Incorporating specific activities to strengthen vulnerable areas, such as hamstrings and adductors.
- Continuous assessments: Monitoring asymmetries and muscle imbalances that may indicate risk.
- Progressive rehabilitation: Designing individualized protocols to ensure players fully regain their physical capacity before returning to the field.
Normative and Reference Values in Football
One of Correia’s most valuable contributions is his work on normative values in football academies. By establishing data-driven standards, academies can track player progress and adjust their programs to achieve optimal results.
Correia emphasizes the importance of conducting evaluations under controlled conditions to obtain reliable data. This approach helps identify specific areas for improvement, optimize performance, and minimize unnecessary risks.
Final Reflections from This Conversation
The episode concludes with a reflection on the need for a collaborative and evidence-based approach in youth training. With the support of experts like Hugo Correia, football academies have the necessary tools to develop stronger, more resilient players who are better prepared for the challenges of professional football.

Want to Stay Updated on the Latest News?
Stay informed about everything happening in the FSI Training ecosystem by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media.
Post Author
Alberto Fílter holds a PhD in Football from the Pablo de Olavide University of Seville, as well as a Master’s degree in Physical and Sports High Performance from the same institution.
Are you interested in learning more about this topic?
Related posts

Hugo Correia and Joao Rivero discuss the crucial role of the performance manager in football, highlighting their work in integrating…

Tags
Growth and Maturation in Football Academies – Sean Cumming, Xabier Monasterio, Alberto Fílter | FSI Talks 15
Sean Cumming, Xabier Monasterio, and Alberto Fílter share valuable insights on how to effectively adapt training sessions to meet the…

Sprint Biomechanics for Hamstring Injury Risk Management – JB Morin & Chris Bramah | FSI Talks 14
In this new episode of FSI Talks, experts JB Morin and Chris Bramah explore the advances in biomechanics applied to…

Temperature Management and Sports Performance: Key Strategies in Football – Sebastien Racinais & Alberto Fílter | FSI Talks 13
Professor Sebastien Racinais explains how to manage temperature in football using strategies such as ice vests, heat acclimation, and recovery…

Building a Strength Foundation in Young Footballers – Hugo Correia & Alberto Fílter | FSI Talks 12
Hugo Correia, from Olympique de Marseille, shares key insights into developing strength in young footballers. Discover how to optimize performance…

Guide on Flexibility, Mobility, and Stretching – David Behm & Bernardo Requena | FSI Talks 11
Learn from David Behm, one of the leading experts in flexibility, how to implement effective stretching and mobility strategies to…

360º Performance System – Igor Jukić & Alberto Fílter | FSI Talks 10
Discover with Igor Jukić how the comprehensive 360º Performance System is transforming professional football by integrating science, communication, and personalization…

Most Demanding Period in Football Matches – Fabio Nakamura & Alberto Fílter | FSI Talks 9
Fabio Nakamura and Alberto Fílter analyze the Most Demanding Period (MDP) in football, discussing its impact on performance, injuries, and…

From FSI Students to Working in Elite Football Contexts – Pablo Trueba, Jesús Olivares & Alberto Fílter | FSI Talks 8
Jesús Olivares and Pablo Trueba share their journey from FSI students to working in the elite professional football context. A…