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Milk and Bone Density Research
Researchers from the University of Connecticut examined the effects of
increasing milk on bone and body composition in teenage boys who participated in
a 12 week strength training program. Half of the boys consumed 3 servings/day of
1% milk and the other half consumed juice. Following the training program, all
of the subjects increased their lean body mass and muscle strength, but the
subjects who drank milk had a greater increase in bone mineral density that the
subjects who drank juice. These findings highlight the potential value of
calcium and perhaps other nutrients in milk in enhancing bone development in
boys who strength train (Volek et al., 2003. Journal of the American Dietetic
Association. 103(10): 1353-1356.)
Healthy Children Safely Perform 1RM
Strength Test
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts evaluated the safety and efficacy
of 1 repetition maximum (RM) strength testing in healthy boys and girls between
6.2 and 12.3 years of age. Thirty-two girls and 64 boys performed a 1 RM test on
one upper body and one lower body exercise using child-size weight machines. No
injuries occurred during the study period and the testing protocol was well
tolerated by the subjects. Despite previous concerns regarding 1 RM testing in
children, these findings suggest that healthy children can safely perform 1 RM
strength tests provided that appropriate procedures are followed. (Faigenbaum et
al. 2003. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 17(1): 162-166.)
Training Loads for Normal-Weight
Children may be Insufficient for Overweight Children
Recently,
strength training has been recommended for obese children. Researchers from the
Wingate Institute in Israel explored the association between adiposity and the
response to resistance training in 30 boys. Following three years of training,
subjects were divided into responders and nonresponders based upon
training-induced gains in muscle strength. Analysis of the data indicate that
the changes in adiposity were inversely related to the training effect. Thus
training loads appropriate for normal-weight children may be insufficient for
overweight children. (Falk, B. et al., 2002. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology
& Metabolism. 15: 597-606.)
Strength
Training Benefits Children with Burn Injuries.
Researchers from the Shriners
Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas assessed changes in muscle strength
and lean body mass in severely burned children who participated in a 12-week
exercise program that included strength training. The researchers reported that
the resistance exercise
program resulted in significant improvements in muscle strength and power as
well as lean body mass relative to a standard exercise program. It was suggested
that strength training should be a fundamental component of multidisciplinary
outpatient treatment for victims of thermal injury (Suman et al. J. Appl. Physio.
91: 1168-1175, 2001).
Circuit Training is Safe for Adolescents
with Diabetes
To test the safety and effects of
exercise conditioning on fitness, glucose regulation and lipid levels of
adolescents with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), 10 male adolescents
with IDDM participated in a aerobic and strength training circuit three time a
week for 12 weeks. Following the training period, the adolescents improved their
aerobic fitness, muscle strength, lipid profile and glucose regulation which
suggests that circuit training is safe for properly trained and monitored
adolescents with IDDM. (Mosher, P et al. Arch. Phys. Med Rehabil., 79: 652-657,
1998.)
High Impact Exercise and Bones of
Growing Girls
Researchers from Finland explored
the effects of high-impact exercise (e.g., step-aerobics and jump training) on
the bone mineral mass of premenarcheal (age 11.7 yr) and postmenarcheal (age
13.7 yr) girls who participated in a 9 month exercise program. Following the
training period, additional gains in bone mass were observed in the
premenarcheal girls relative to the postmenarcheal girls. These findings suggest
that high-impact exercise may be more benefical for adding bone mass if
performed before menarche rather than after it. (Heinonen, A. et al.
Osteoporosis International, 11: 1010-1017, 2000.)
American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends
Strength
Training for Kids
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently
published an updated policy statement on the risks and benefits of strength
training for children and
adolescents. According to the AAP, regular
participation in a strength training program may improve sports performance,
rehabilitate injuries, prevent injuries and/or enhance long-term health.
Strength training programs do not appear to adversely affect linear growth and
do not seem to have any long-term detrimental effect on cardiovascular health.
The AAP suggests that strength training can be a safe and effective method of
exercise for children and adolescents if proper training techniques and safety
precautions are followed. This article was published in Pediatrics, Volume 107,
No. 6, pg1470-1472, June 2001.
Preseason Conditioning Prevents Injuries
in Youth Sport
Researchers from the Wellington Orthopedic and Sports
Medicine Center in Cincinnati, OH reported that a preseason conditioning program
significantly reduced the incidence of sports-related injuries in female
adolescent soccer players. 300 female soccer players (ages 14-18 years) were
studied over a one year period. 42 of these players participated in a 7 week
conditioning program that included cardiovascular conditioning, plyometric work,
sport cord drills, strength training and flexibility exercises. Players who did
not participate in the conditioning program had a significantly higher incidence
of injury compared with the trained group (33.7% versus 14.3%, respectively).
Although injuries in youth sport can not be prevented completely, these results
suggest it is possible to reduce the incidence of injury by participating in a
preseason conditioning program. This article was authored by Robert Heidt et al.
and published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol. 28, No. 5, pg,
659-662, 2000.
Strength Training and Childrenís Health
In addition to enhancing motor skills and sports
performance, strength training has the potential to positively influence several
measurable indices of health in children. It helps strengthen bone, facilitate
weight control, enhance psychological well-being, and improve oneís
cardiovascular risk profile. In addition, a stronger musculoskeletal system will
enable children to perform daily activities with more energy and vigor. Despite
traditional concerns associated with this type of exercise, scientific studies
and clinical impressions strongly suggest that strength training should be part
of a comprehensive health-maintenance strategy for children. This article was
authored by Avery Faigenbaum and published in the Journal of Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance, Vol. 72, No. 3, pg, 24-30, 2001.
Sport Parent Code of Conduct
More than 30 heads of Massachusettsí chapters of
national sports and medical associations, educational associations and
professional associations participated in a consensus meeting to develop a sport
parent code of conduct for the state. The meeting was convened by the
Massachusetts Governors Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports and the
National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, Inc. The preamble to this document
states that "the essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports
are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles:
trustworthiness, respect, fairness, caring and good citizenship. The highest
potential of sports is realized
when competition reflects these ësix
pillars of character.í" The complete document is available at
www.govfitness.com.
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