By Tamara Talayumptewa
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/story/2012-03-13/Strength-training-does-a-young-body-good-too/53515902/1
Friday, April 6, 2012
Strength training does a young body good, too.
When we think of strength training for kids, we automatically think that it isn't good for them and that it could possibly stunt their growth or increase their risk of bone damage. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Sports Medicine, they both support that strength training (resistance training) is very beneficial to their developing bodies. Not only does it increase their muscle strength and endurance but it also improves their motor skills and performance in sports. It may also decrease their risk of sports related injuries because their muscles and joints would be protected from all the strength building. So when is the right age to start strength training? Anytime a kid starts to show interest in a particular sport but they also have to have the mental, emotional and physical maturity to follow directions. Physically their bodies have to be ready to endure the process of what strength training has to offer, we don't want anyone getting hurt because their bodies weren't quite ready yet. Emotionally and mentally these kids have to be aware that this isn't to gain attention and to show off but to help themselves out in a positive way through their physical activity. It seems that boys are more interested in strength training than girls because girls feel that if they do strength training, they will bulk up and they don't want to have that image. Some positive advice for young girls out there is that they don't produce enough testosterone so they won't necessarily build large muscles but strength training will make them stronger. In all aspects of strength training, it is very beneficial for all ages to do this and is a key component in weight loss. To avoid all injuries kids need to be supervised and be led by an instructor or someone who knows what they are doing. This prevents the misuse of using the equipment properly and possible injury. Strength training has to be fun for kids and they have to like it, otherwise they will quit. Happy muscle building!
By Tamara Talayumptewa
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/story/2012-03-13/Strength-training-does-a-young-body-good-too/53515902/1
By Tamara Talayumptewa
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/story/2012-03-13/Strength-training-does-a-young-body-good-too/53515902/1
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
You make a lot valid points. Strength training can be divided into different categories, such as resistance training, weight training and isometric. In regards to strength training which exercises are better for children or are they all beneficial? Has there been research to compare exercise such as pushups, sit ups, swimming etc to using mechanical equipment or weights and the various effects they have on children? The link below is to a video of a 13 year old girl from Colorado who happens to be a power-lifting record holder.
ReplyDeletehttp://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/powerlifting-world-record-holder-13-old-girl-colorado-194316479.html
I enjoyed reading your blog because I also agree that appropriate strength training is good for almost everyone, including younger and older people. I regularly do strength training myself and am amazed by the benefits. I have more strength, more energy, and more confidence. The gym I attend also has a session for kids and it is also amazing to see the smiles on the kids' faces and to see their confidence grow. There as so many benefits of strength training for all ages. Some of them include independence, confidence, mobility, and bone health. Thanks for sharing this topic with everyone.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting, although I feel it is somewhat lacking information. I do think that children should be active and with that there tends to be some sort of strength required. any organized sport during training does strength and conditioning exercises so would that count as strength training? Do the kids have to go to a gym to work out even if it is just resistance training? I think kids being active most of the time will require and develop strength and not necessarily send them off to work out in a gym.
ReplyDelete