Can children between the ages of 12-16 lift weights without stunting their growth?
A. The answer is yes. The old theory was that children could fracture their growth plates within their bones, which could do harm to bone growth. This was based on children using too much weight and not being instructed on the proper ways to train. Recent studies have shown that if the child is trained by a professional educated in child development, and the child obeys some basic guidelines, weight lifting or resistance training can actually strengthen the bones. For more information and guidelines, contact The National Strength and Conditioning Association or the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine. Q. What should my child drink to stay hydrated? A. This is one of my favorite subjects. First, some quick facts: approximately 60 percent of our body is water; and approximately 90 percent of our blood is water. Our bodies may loose upwards of 2 liters of water through sweat in one hour of physical activity. We need water not only for proper function of vital organs, but also t
