LIFTING OFF – Is weightlifting Safe
Nowadays many medical practitioners who see young patients are often asked about strength training programs for children. Many parents seek guidance over the safety of resistance training for both competitive and cross training purposes. Other parents of overweight or underweight children seek guidance about which activities are effective for weight loss or weight gain.
Among the general concerns of weight training include musculoskeletal injuries (back and knees) and damage to growth plates, with excess muscle development and masculinisation a specific concern for young girls and their parents. Informed clinicians can reassure parents that, with adult supervision, proper equipment, and realistic expectations, strength training programs designed for children and adolescents are safe and effective.
Realistically, strength training in prepubertal children is a safe and effective way to improve muscle strength and joint flexibility while potentially decreasing the rate of sports-related injury. A properly designed and supervised program will help improve children's overall health and sense of psychosocial well-being. Current published literature demonstrates that the benefits of strength training far outweigh the small potential risks. When a child or adolescent is involved in strength training, the emphasis is on technique rather than the amount of weight lifted, and qualified coaches always ensure these guidelines.
Read the rest at Queensland Weightlifting Association.
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