[This post is written by Cliff Scarborough who is currently working as a Sport Performance Intern at Athletic Lab]

Despite the growing number of children and adolescents participating in resistance training activities in recent years, there are still individuals that frown upon the thought of youth resistance training. Many of these individuals base their opinions regarding resistance training on common misconceptions regarding damage to epiphyseal plates and musculoskeletal systems. However, there is no scientific evidence that supports the belief that resistance training will effect growth at any developmental stage during childhood and adolescence. According to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, injury to epiphyseal plates was only reported during case studies where improper lifting techniques and excessive workloads were present.

As with any physical activity a child may participate in, the risk of injury is always present; however, that does not necessarily mean injury will occur. The article “Injury Trends and Prevention in Youth Resistance Training”, found in the Strength and Conditioning Journal, states that improper lifting techniques, poorly chosen training loads or lack of qualified supervision contributed to most injuries sustained with resistance training. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s evaluation of resistance training-related injuries present in U.S. emergency rooms found that of the injuries reported, for youths between the ages of 8-13 years old, 77% were categorized as accidental, [Accidental in this case is considered injury from dropped weight, improper use of equipment or tripping over equipment]. It was also noted in the injury report that two-thirds of all injuries which were hand or foot related were attributed to “dropping” and “pinching”.

After reviewing these and other findings, I don’t feel the act of our youth participating in resistance training is the problem. I believe it is more so an issue of being misinformed on the causes, effects and lack of preventative measures that limit the occurrence of injury in this particular realm of training.

References:

1. Avery D. Faigenbaum, Ed.D. (Chair) and Lyle J. Micheli, M.D., FACSM; “Youth Resistance Training,” Sports Medicine Bulletin, Vol. 32, Number 2, p.28

2. President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Washington, D.C, Faigenbaum, Avery (2003). Youth Resistance Training. President’s Council on Research and Sports Research Digest, 4, 1-8

3. Faigenbaum, Avery D., Myer, Greg D., Naclerio, Fernando & Casas, Adrian. Injury Trends and Prevention in Youth Resistance Training. Strength and Conditioning Journal. 33, 36-41. 2011