are there any adverse effects of lifting weights before puberty?

[bdjohnson]

my younger brother keeps talking about all these jock guys in jr. high who are lifting weights like crazy. I always thought it was bad for you to do that, but I dont really know any solid facts. anyone here a doctor or someone who knows about this? thanks.

 

Dont. I'm not sure of the reason, but dont.

 

[Nikamichi]

are there any adverse effects of lifting weights before puberty?

Yes, it can cause shrinking of the penis - just ask MikeyIs4Dcats.

 

[bdjohnson]

Originally posted by: FallenHero
Dont. I'm not sure of the reason, but dont.

well i'm 17 and i didn't start lifting until i was full grown. I always thought it was bad to do it before but i want to know the real reason why its bad.

 

[bradruth]

I believe you can damage the growth plates in the bone.

 

[ElFenix]

my coaches in jr high said it was bad because your muscles would be fully formed before your bones were, so when your bones grew your muscles wouldn't. dunno if they were right or not tho.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

You can cause stunted growth and potentially do permanent damage to joints, ligaments, and tendons if you start working with weights before 14 or so.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
my coaches in jr high said it was bad because your muscles would be fully formed before your bones were, so when your bones grew your muscles wouldn't. dunno if they were right or not tho.

Unless there's a point at which muscles stop growing (without disease or neglect), then they're wrong. Muscles don't ever stop growing unless they're not being used. As long as you're using them and feeding them properly, they'll grow as big as they need to be in order to overcome the stress that you're putting them through.

 

[tweakmm]

Besides the fact that you one is basically wasting time?

 

[bdjohnson]

Originally posted by: Nik

Originally posted by: ElFenix
my coaches in jr high said it was bad because your muscles would be fully formed before your bones were, so when your bones grew your muscles wouldn't. dunno if they were right or not tho.

Unless there's a point at which muscles stop growing (without disease or neglect), then they're wrong. Muscles don't ever stop growing unless they're not being used. As long as you're using them and feeding them properly, they'll grow as big as they need to be in order to overcome the stress that you're putting them through.

maybe their overall form doesn't change past a certain point but they can still grow in capacity. I dont think that tendons keep growing, so maybe the size of the muscle and the way it interfaces with the bone can stop growing.

 

[jai6638]

will result in stunted growth... max a 14 yr old should carry is about 3-5 kgs...