No wait for weights

By Howard Cohen, Knight Ridder Newspapers, April 8, 2005

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, strength training does not hamper growth development and could even help prevent sports-related injuries.

"It's safe as young as age 8," says Dr. Eric Small, chairman of the committee on sports medicine and fitness for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"There's no evidence of loss in flexibility. That's an old wives' tale," says Dr. Erol Yoldas, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., sports medicine physician. "The studies don't show any risk if an 8-year-old wants to do some basic weight training . . . but basic supervision is an issue."

Weight training can help children learn to control their muscles and can aid bone growth and development, the AAP says.