There is no need to avoid resistance training (weight lifting) until physeal closure
Michael T Milone1, Joseph Bernstein, Kevin B Freedman
1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|January 8, 2014
Summary
Adolescents can safely participate in supervised resistance training. Expert consensus and medical literature suggest weight lifting programs do not increase acute injury risk in young athletes with open growth plates.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- The physis (growth plate) is weaker in adolescents than adults, raising concerns about resistance training injuries.
- Existing medical literature lacks definitive guidance on the safety of adolescent strength training.
- Adolescent participation in resistance training is a topic of ongoing debate due to potential risks to immature skeletons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess expert opinion on the safety of resistance training for adolescents.
- To review scientific literature regarding adolescent outcomes from strength training.
- To determine if adolescents can safely engage in resistance training programs.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 500 sports medicine experts regarding the statement: 'resistance training should be avoided until physeal closure.'
- Reviewed basic and clinical sciences related to growth plate biomechanics and adolescent training.
- Analyzed existing medical literature on adolescent resistance training outcomes.
Main Results:
- The majority of surveyed experts disagreed with avoiding resistance training until physeal closure, deeming the statement 'very likely false.'
- Data suggest that properly supervised weight training programs are not linked to an increased risk of acute injury in adolescents.
- Current literature provides no information on the long-term effects of weight lifting on adolescent growth plates.
Conclusions:
- Expert consensus indicates that resistance training is safe for individuals with immature skeletons.
- Supervised strength training programs appear safe for adolescents regarding acute injury risk.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of adolescent resistance training on growth plates.
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