I have a question about my son, who is twelve years old and just becoming involved in weightlifting at school. His coach has the boys doing several moves that involve very quick and jerky movements, movements that require explosive strength. I question the way momentum is used to move the weights. Does anyone know if these types of movements are safe for beginning weightlifters?
Explosive weightlifting moves
- Thread starter wutherhi
- Start date
Aquajock
Cathlete
I'm not a personal trainer or a coach, but I am an overly-cautious biddy hen especially when we're talking about strength training for young people. I think you're right to question the safety of quick, jerky lifts for beginning weightlifters, ESPECIALLY adolescents. Developing explosive strength, from my understanding, should take place AFTER the novice lifter has learned good form and developed a core of strength and muscle mass already.
I believe there's an excellent book by Dr. Wayne Wescott, who is truly legendary in the field of strength training research, on the very topic of strength training for young people. Darned if I can remember the title of it, but you can find it at the Human Kinetics website (www.humankinetics.com). It's difficult to find an article or textbook that DOESN'T include references or full chapters by Dr. Wescott!
Hope this helps -
Annette Q. Aquajock
I believe there's an excellent book by Dr. Wayne Wescott, who is truly legendary in the field of strength training research, on the very topic of strength training for young people. Darned if I can remember the title of it, but you can find it at the Human Kinetics website (www.humankinetics.com). It's difficult to find an article or textbook that DOESN'T include references or full chapters by Dr. Wescott!
Hope this helps -
Annette Q. Aquajock
Annette--
You're incredible! Thank you so much! I'll check out the book and website you mentioned right now! My next problem, after doing some research, of course, is to find a tactful way to bring this up with the coach.
Thanks again for steering me in the right direction.
Shari
You're incredible! Thank you so much! I'll check out the book and website you mentioned right now! My next problem, after doing some research, of course, is to find a tactful way to bring this up with the coach.
Thanks again for steering me in the right direction.
Shari
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-12-02 AT 09:06PM (Est)[/font][p]Arrghhh! NO!! While weight lifting is a great exercise for kids--although it used to be considered high risk for stunting growth--it has to be done correctly in order to be safe.
The lifts you are describing are most likely Olympic lifts and are not to be attempted by a beginner--certainly not a beginner who is your son's age. These kids need to be learning the basics--no explosive compound moves until they master the simpler techniques!
I can't tell you how important this is!! In case you're wondering, this is my profession--I'm a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist and clinical exercise physiologist. Feel free to e-mail me and I'll help you get this info out any way I can!
Maribeth
BTW--Annette and I are cyber-pals! She gave very good advice!
The lifts you are describing are most likely Olympic lifts and are not to be attempted by a beginner--certainly not a beginner who is your son's age. These kids need to be learning the basics--no explosive compound moves until they master the simpler techniques!
I can't tell you how important this is!! In case you're wondering, this is my profession--I'm a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist and clinical exercise physiologist. Feel free to e-mail me and I'll help you get this info out any way I can!
Maribeth
BTW--Annette and I are cyber-pals! She gave very good advice!
Aquajock
Cathlete
Shari - I second Maribeth's emotion, and I would also suggest you not worry about being "tactful" with your son's coach. Adolescents can and do have lifelong damage done to them because of the ignorance and/or arrogance of coaches, and your son's health is nothing to pussy-foot around with!
Take Maribeth up on her e-mail offer! She's been my guru, and friend, for months now, and she knows her stuff inside and out!
Annette Q. Aquajock
Take Maribeth up on her e-mail offer! She's been my guru, and friend, for months now, and she knows her stuff inside and out!
Annette Q. Aquajock
Hi Maribeth,
Thank you so much for your advice. And I will accept your kind offer to e-mail you for backup if I have any trouble convincing the coach next week when football training begins again.
I also want to apologize for taking so long to thank you. I'm a fifth grade teacher, and school started this week, so I've been too swamped to read the boards (and pulled a muscle last week, so reading the boards would have been depressing, anyway, when I had nothing to look forward to or get psyched up for).
I think both you AND Annette are terrific (and you, too, Cathe)! It's so great, being a beginner, to be able to ask a question and not feel like a total whackadoo. And sometimes I simply don't know where to begin.
Thanks again,
Shari
Thank you so much for your advice. And I will accept your kind offer to e-mail you for backup if I have any trouble convincing the coach next week when football training begins again.
I also want to apologize for taking so long to thank you. I'm a fifth grade teacher, and school started this week, so I've been too swamped to read the boards (and pulled a muscle last week, so reading the boards would have been depressing, anyway, when I had nothing to look forward to or get psyched up for).
I think both you AND Annette are terrific (and you, too, Cathe)! It's so great, being a beginner, to be able to ask a question and not feel like a total whackadoo. And sometimes I simply don't know where to begin.
Thanks again,
Shari