1178 EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING ON STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT IN PREPUBESCENT FEMALES

There is no need to avoid resistance training (weight lifting) until physeal closure

The physis, or growth plate, is relatively weaker than the surrounding bone; as a result, individuals with immature skeletons are at risk for growth plate injury from forces that would not harm an adult. Based on the knowledge that immature growth plates are weaker than adult growth plates, it is not known with certainty whether or not adolescents can participate safely in resistance training programs. Because medical literature does not definitively answer if it is safe for adolescents to pursue strength-training programs, we previously surveyed 500 experts in sports medicine to determine whether they agreed with the statement "resistance training ('weight lifting') should be avoided until physeal closure." Overall, respondents answered that "this statement is very likely false." In this article, we interpret the experts' survey responses by reviewing the basic and clinical sciences implicit in the question, as well as the literature regarding adolescent outcomes. Although the avoidance of resistance training by adolescents is theoretically appealing, we found that the data indicate properly supervised weight programs are not associated with increased risk of acute injury. However, the literature offers no insight about the long-term implications of weight lifting on growth plates. In sum, the expert consensus from our survey that strength training is safe for individuals with immature skeletons is consistent with data from medical literature.

Strength training for children and adolescents

The potential benefits of youth strength training extend beyond an increase in muscular strength and may include favorable changes in selected health- and fitness-related measures. If appropriate training guidelines are followed, regular participation in a youth strength-training program has the potential to increase bone mineral density, improve motor performance skills, enhance sports performance, and better prepare our young athletes for the demands of practice and competition. Despite earlier concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of youth strength training, current public health objectives now aim to increase the number of boys and girls age 6 and older who regularly participate in physical activities that enhance and maintain muscular fitness. Parents, teachers, coaches, and healthcare providers should realize that youth strength training is a specialized method of conditioning that can offer enormous benefit but at the same time can result in serious injury if established guidelines are not followed. With qualified instruction, competent supervision, and an appropriate progression of the volume and intensity of training, children and adolescents cannot only learn advanced strength training exercises but can feel good about their performances, and have fun. Additional clinical trails involving children and adolescents are needed to further explore the acute and chronic effects of strength training on a variety of anatomical, physiological, and psychological parameters.