strength training for adolescents?

L

likes2bfit

Cathlete
Cathe, I hope you are feeling fine as you prepare for your special delivery. If you, or any knowledgable trainers out there in cyber space know any thing about young people strength training, I'd like to ask a question.

Is it safe for a pre-adolescent kid to strength train for athletic performance? I always thought they should wait until they were well into adolescence. The reason, I understand is to make sure no harm is done to growing joints. Lately, I've heard of parents having their kids lift weights to 'improve their sports performace'.

My husband and I, have had our older kids wait until adolescence, except for abdominals (my kids don't like to do 'abs' anyway! LOL)

Can anyone set the record straight here? Are there any articles that address this issue?



Take time to enjoy those who matter most to you & do all things in moderation :)
 
I've read that youths shouldn't start weight training until their growth plates are closed. Check with your child's physician.
 
thanks so much Bobbi! I printied the article.

FYI any one interested, the article summary is that strength can be fun and safe in a prpoerly supervised program

Take time to enjoy those who matter most to you & do all things in moderation :)
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Apr-14-02 AT 06:46AM (Est)[/font][p]I've heard the same - of course it depends how seriously the kids train. In this case moderation is key.

I must say it really makes me SICK - some of the pressures on kids today to train early. Believe me I've gotten caught up in it as well - parents having kids do 3 sports a season - and sooo proud of it - bragging how Johnny is so busy and has no down time - The funny thing is by high school MANY of these kids are burned out. The parents say its about the kids but CLEARLY it isn't. I see a lot of parents either reliving there glory or the glory they never had.

I COULD NOT BELIEVE it - there is a 6th grader in our school - who competes in gymnastics - and she trains every nite til 9:00 and it's a 45 minute drive home- her parents are trying to sue the school system since they are not flexible and wont let her start school at 10. Their arguement is that she needs her sleep - HELLO since when isnt school more important?? She has no time for friends? HELLO what is 12 all about --- anyhow it really made me sick and i had to vent!

I know by high school (just a few years later) they lift for most the teams so it's not far off!
 
I've seen more than I care to see

We have seen many parents and kids like you described.

My husband and I try very hard not to over do anything with our kids. We actually are trying to hold back a bit for one of our kids so that she will still be competing in high school (She is 11, and swims)
It work out well ,because we have 4 kids total. We tell them everyone gets a chance to do a sport, but we can only go in so many directions at once.


Take time to enjoy those who matter most to you & do all things in moderation :)
 
Thank you SOOOO much for this link! I was wondering this same thing because I have a very young child (she's not even 2!). I'm not interested in getting her into strength training for competitive reasons, but more as starting her on the right path for lifetime fitness.

I'm planning to get her the Elmocize video for her 2nd birthday. She can barely even pick up my 5 lb. dumb-bell right now, so I knew that it wasn't time for the weights. I just thought it would be fun to have her join me for my workouts as soon as possible. Now I know that I should wait about 5 years.
 
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