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olinerules87 · 08-17-2008, 05:10 PM

A paper I wrote a while back:

Strength training is “the use of resistance methods to increase one’s ability to exert or resist force” (“Strength Training by Children”). For years, strength training and weightlifting have been used by adolescents and adults to improve their sports performance and general well-being. Weight training has also been recommended for the elderly for its health benefits. But because of the former beliefs of pediatricians and scientists, weight training has been frowned upon for use by preadolescent children. Despite people’s perceptions that weight training is not suitable for young children, a properly designed weight training program is not only safe, but is also beneficial in the improvement of prepubescent children’s athletic performance and overall health.

There are many former myths which make weightlifting for children taboo in most people’s minds. For years, it was considered dangerous and risky for children to participate in strength training programs. It was thought that lifting weights would close children’s growth plates, which control the length and shape of their bones (Briley HE01). Closing the growth plates would cause a child’s growth to be stunted, and therefore, lead to limbs being shorter than their possible length. It was also thought that lifting weights would reduce flexibility and cause participants muscles to tighten up. Another misconception was that speed would be decreased as an athlete’s strength increased. Coordination was also believed to be hindered as a result of strength training (Kubachka).

The safety of strength training for children has been examined in many recent studies. One of these studies, done by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, reported that over 8,000 injuries have occurred in children under the age of 14 while lifting weights in the past year. However, this study did not investigate the conditions of the lifting environment or the history of the children studied. The study did document that most of these injuries occurred while the subjects were in an unsupervised environment (“Youth Resistance Training”). Weightlifting injuries usually range from strains and sprains to the occasional fracture. Overuse injuries also occur, but can be easily prevented by using a properly designed strength training program. Several studies have looked at the risk of injury to children while participating in strength training programs under the proper supervision and found it to be very low, some saying they have never had any injuries (Benjamin and Glow; Faigenbaum and Westcott, “Strength Training” 36). The difference in the safety of playing sports and lifting weights has also been examined. One study looked at over 1500 sports related injuries in children, and found that less that 1% of these injuries occurred as a result of weightlifting (Stout). The stress on children’s joints while playing sports has actually been proven to be greater than the stress put on by lifting weights (“Youth Resistance Training”). Due to this, most reports seem to agree that it is much safer for young children to participate in a properly designed strength training programs than it is for them to play sports.

The biggest concern parents and coaches have about letting their children lift weights is the myth that it will lead to bone damage and stunted growth. The epiphyseal plate, better known as the growth plate, is growing tissue at the end of children’s bones. Many fear that weightlifting will lead to the premature closing of these plates and stunted growth. (Briley HE01). Recent studies have found that proper strength training will not damage a child’s growth plates, stunt their growth, or affect their maximum potential size (Benjamin and Glow). The premature closing of the growth plates has actually been related to hormonal influences, rather than injury (Goss, “Is Weight Training”). The American College of Sports Medicine has said, “There is no current scientific evidence to support that early weight training will stunt a child’s growth” (Briley HE01). A few studies conducted by Dr. Avery Faigenbaum have shown that there can even be positive growth effects from strength training when children receive proper nutrition and physical activity (Benjamin and Glow). Other studies have found that weightlifting will increase the amount of muscle gained during puberty than normally expected (“Strength Training by Children”).

One of the most beneficial results of strength training is the increase of body strength. Many studies done in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s reported that prepubescent children were not capable of making strength gains because of their low levels of testosterone. The methods used in these studies were flawed, but led many people to believe that strength training programs were fruitless and ineffective for children. Because of advances in technology, there is now a much better understanding of the possibilities of strength gains in children (Benjamin and Glow; Faigenbaum and Westcott, “Strength Training” 37). An increase in body strength comes from neural adaptations, caused by an increase in the number of neurons working at each muscle contraction (Briley HE01). These neuromuscular adaptations explain how children with low testosterone levels can achieve strength gains (“Strength Training by Children”). Children also gain muscle mass through an increase in the amount of protein their body produces (Faigenbaum and Westcott, “Strength Training” 37). Studies have found that children are likely to experience strength gains of 50-75 percent in 2 months (Faigenbaum and Westcott, Strength & Power 145). According to Coach Kim Goss, editor of Bigger Faster Stronger and a weightlifting coach of young ice skaters, muscular endurance, or the length of time a strenuous activity can be performed well, will also be increased by lifting weights (Goss).

08-17-2008, 05:10 PM	#9
olinerules87 Middleweight Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: In the gym, the kitchen, or on the toilet Posts: 598	A paper I wrote a while back: Strength training is “the use of resistance methods to increase one’s ability to exert or resist force” (“Strength Training by Children”). For years, strength training and weightlifting have been used by adolescents and adults to improve their sports performance and general well-being. Weight training has also been recommended for the elderly for its health benefits. But because of the former beliefs of pediatricians and scientists, weight training has been frowned upon for use by preadolescent children. Despite people’s perceptions that weight training is not suitable for young children, a properly designed weight training program is not only safe, but is also beneficial in the improvement of prepubescent children’s athletic performance and overall health. There are many former myths which make weightlifting for children taboo in most people’s minds. For years, it was considered dangerous and risky for children to participate in strength training programs. It was thought that lifting weights would close children’s growth plates, which control the length and shape of their bones (Briley HE01). Closing the growth plates would cause a child’s growth to be stunted, and therefore, lead to limbs being shorter than their possible length. It was also thought that lifting weights would reduce flexibility and cause participants muscles to tighten up. Another misconception was that speed would be decreased as an athlete’s strength increased. Coordination was also believed to be hindered as a result of strength training (Kubachka). The safety of strength training for children has been examined in many recent studies. One of these studies, done by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, reported that over 8,000 injuries have occurred in children under the age of 14 while lifting weights in the past year. However, this study did not investigate the conditions of the lifting environment or the history of the children studied. The study did document that most of these injuries occurred while the subjects were in an unsupervised environment (“Youth Resistance Training”). Weightlifting injuries usually range from strains and sprains to the occasional fracture. Overuse injuries also occur, but can be easily prevented by using a properly designed strength training program. Several studies have looked at the risk of injury to children while participating in strength training programs under the proper supervision and found it to be very low, some saying they have never had any injuries (Benjamin and Glow; Faigenbaum and Westcott, “Strength Training” 36). The difference in the safety of playing sports and lifting weights has also been examined. One study looked at over 1500 sports related injuries in children, and found that less that 1% of these injuries occurred as a result of weightlifting (Stout). The stress on children’s joints while playing sports has actually been proven to be greater than the stress put on by lifting weights (“Youth Resistance Training”). Due to this, most reports seem to agree that it is much safer for young children to participate in a properly designed strength training programs than it is for them to play sports. The biggest concern parents and coaches have about letting their children lift weights is the myth that it will lead to bone damage and stunted growth. The epiphyseal plate, better known as the growth plate, is growing tissue at the end of children’s bones. Many fear that weightlifting will lead to the premature closing of these plates and stunted growth. (Briley HE01). Recent studies have found that proper strength training will not damage a child’s growth plates, stunt their growth, or affect their maximum potential size (Benjamin and Glow). The premature closing of the growth plates has actually been related to hormonal influences, rather than injury (Goss, “Is Weight Training”). The American College of Sports Medicine has said, “There is no current scientific evidence to support that early weight training will stunt a child’s growth” (Briley HE01). A few studies conducted by Dr. Avery Faigenbaum have shown that there can even be positive growth effects from strength training when children receive proper nutrition and physical activity (Benjamin and Glow). Other studies have found that weightlifting will increase the amount of muscle gained during puberty than normally expected (“Strength Training by Children”). One of the most beneficial results of strength training is the increase of body strength. Many studies done in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s reported that prepubescent children were not capable of making strength gains because of their low levels of testosterone. The methods used in these studies were flawed, but led many people to believe that strength training programs were fruitless and ineffective for children. Because of advances in technology, there is now a much better understanding of the possibilities of strength gains in children (Benjamin and Glow; Faigenbaum and Westcott, “Strength Training” 37). An increase in body strength comes from neural adaptations, caused by an increase in the number of neurons working at each muscle contraction (Briley HE01). These neuromuscular adaptations explain how children with low testosterone levels can achieve strength gains (“Strength Training by Children”). Children also gain muscle mass through an increase in the amount of protein their body produces (Faigenbaum and Westcott, “Strength Training” 37). Studies have found that children are likely to experience strength gains of 50-75 percent in 2 months (Faigenbaum and Westcott, Strength & Power 145). According to Coach Kim Goss, editor of Bigger Faster Stronger and a weightlifting coach of young ice skaters, muscular endurance, or the length of time a strenuous activity can be performed well, will also be increased by lifting weights (Goss). __________________ http://www.gymwiki.info/content/Index For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8