strength training

strength training,

a method of improving muscular strength by gradually increasing the ability to resist force through the use of free weights, machines, or the person's own body weight. Strength training sessions are designed to impose increasingly greater resistance, which in turn stimulates development of muscle strength to meet the added demand.

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Patient discussion about strength training.

Q. Is strength training safe for children? Hi friends, this is my 4th question in this community. Here is my next one: I've always heard that resistance training will ''stunt a child's growth.'' Now, I hear it may be advisable for children to strength train. Is strength training safe for children?

A. Hello Tom Greg, Based on the available scientific information, strength training won't inhibit a child's growth under normal circumstances. Strength training can, however, cause injury when heavy weights are used or improper exercise technique is employed. When carefully supervised and correctly performed, strength can actually lower a child's risk of sustaining a sports-related injury, since higher levels of muscular fitness serve to protect the musculoskeletal system. Strength training can, and should, provide a safe and productive exercise for children who show an interest in the activity. Perhaps the two most critical factors that make strength training a safe, effective, and enjoyable activity for children are quality supervision and adherence to the concept of minimum effective dosage (i.e., the training program should be designed using only the minimum level of resistance needed to produce a training effect).