As someone who has worked with youth athletes (ages 8-17) daily since 2001, the most frequent question I receive involves the issue of whether or not it is safe for kids to lift weights. Despite a wealth of helpful information readily available on the subject, myths and misconceptions around the topic persist. My overall goal with this series is to provide more clarity regarding the safety of strength training and participation in Olympic weightlifting among youth.
The issue of youth strength training safety is summed up well by the American Academy of Pediatrics which states… “Appropriately designed resistance training programs have no apparent negative effect on linear growth, physeal health, or the cardiovascular system (Stricker, et al., 2020).”
A position statement on youth resistance training published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine states that there is no scientific evidence indicating that resistance training will have an adverse effect on linear growth during childhood or adolescence or reduce eventual height in adulthood. Furthermore, research indicates that resistance training among youth is actually beneficial for improving bone formation and growth (Lloyd, et al., 2013).
Regarding the issue of safety for youth participating in the sport of Olympic weightlifting, a position statement published by the National Strength and Conditioning Associates states, “To date, no scientific evidence indicates that properly performed and sensibly progressed weightlifting movements performed during practice or competition are riskier than other sports and activities in which youth regularly participate (Faigenbaum, et al., 2009).”
We could go on and on but the bottom line is simply this…there is NO evidence that strength training and/or participation in Olympic weightlifting among youth is inherently dangerous or injurious provided there is qualified supervision along with appropriate training prescription. These factors will be addressed in more detail in the next post. In the meantime, I encourage you to examine this issue in more detail by reading through the following resources. In doing so, you will find that resistance training and the sport of weightlifting are both very safe activities for youth to be participating in.
Resistance Training for Children and Adolescents (AAP)
Position Statement on Youth Resistance Training (BJSM)
Youth Resistance Training Position Statement (NSCA)
References
Faigenbaum, A., Kraemer, W., Cameron, J., Jeffreys, I., Lyle, M., Nitka, M. & Thomas, R. (2009). Youth Resistance Training: Updated Position Statement Paper from The National Strength and Conditioning Association. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Volume 23 (5), S60-S79. https://www.nsca.com/globalassets/about/position-statements/position_stand_youth_resistance_training—2009.pdf
Lloyd, R., Faigenbaum, A., Stone, M., Oliver, J., Jeffreys, I., Moody, J., Brewer, C., Pierce, K., McCambridge, T., Howard, R., Herrington, L., Hainline, B., Micheli, L., Jaques, R., Kraemer, W., McBride, M., Best, T., Chu, D., Alvar, B. & Myer, G. (2013). Position statement on youth resistance training: the 2014 International Consensus. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-092952
Stricker, P., Faigenbaum, A., McCambridge, T., LaBella, C., Brooks, A., Canty, G., Diamond, A., Hennrikus, W., Logan, K., Moffatt, K., Nemeth, B., Pengel, B. & Peterson, A. (2020). Resistance Training for Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, Volume 145 (6), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-1011
At Conqueror Weightlifting, we offer expert coaching in Olympic weightlifting, strength training fundamentals and sports performance training. Use the following link to get started with Nebraska’s strongest team.