Transcript

Voice- The Bodyshop with Jennifer Black and Dr. Steve is brought to you by Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy.

Jennifer Black - Good evening and welcome to this weeks edition of The Body Shop. Today we will discuss strength training in young children. Is it safe for young kids to lift weights?

Dr. Steve - Yes! Kids can work on strength training, but it must be fun, safe, with good instruction and supervision. It used to be thought that kids would injure their growth plate in the bones. There is no proof for this concern. In fact there is no evidence that young kids that lift weights are more susceptible to a greater number of injuries than any other population. Rule of thumb use to be don't lift until after puberty!

Jennifer Black - Can young kids get big muscles from lifting weights?

Dr. Steve - Probably not! Young kids do not have the androgens (hormones) necessary to gain muscle mass. If they can't get big, why lift weights? Learning correct technique and working on light weight and high repetitions may help kids with endurance. They may also gain some strength by learning and improving there neuromuscular connections.

Guidelines to follow!

• Light weights
• high repetitions
• good instruction
• constant supervision
• most of all have fun
• Absolutely no pain.