Topic: THE THORN IN THE SIDE OF USA WEIGHTLIFTING

[Pete_Stewart]

I read the AAP article last night.  From their recommendations it would seem that in Point 1 they say strength training programmes are safe and effective for preadolescents and adolescents but it is going to maximum lifts that may be the problem.  

What is the IWF stance on this regarding preadolescents and adolescents?  I know in Britain that at certain ages they have competitions which are marked on technique rather than total poundages lifted.  

In the study why involve other sports as it may make uniform data collection very difficult.  Why not design it specifically to address whether competitive lifting increases injuries compared to general strength training programmes which the AAP state are safe and effective for preadolescents and adolescents.  I would try and determine if preadolescents and adolescents who compete in one of the three groups the AAP classify as body building, powerlifting and weightlifting have a higher chance of injury or developmental problems compared to people who do not train at all or people who do some general work outs.  In the discussion of the paper or as the last part of the results section it may be possible to compare our results to prepublished data from other sports.

[joedelago]

Pete-  very good suggestion that didn't occur to me.  That would probably make participation easier to accomplish as well since more of us would have access to parents over time, thereby allowing us to abide by HIPPA regs.  Joe

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

So, are we in agreement that we do not need to collect injury data from training and/or competition from other sports? Or do we need to research the availability of injury statistics in some other sports first?

Thanks

[Pete_Stewart]

Depends what question/hypothesis you are trying to answer.  If it is aimed entirely at answering the points that we/you disagree with concerning the AAP article then determining whether competitive weightlifting results in more injuries/development problems for preA's or A's that general strength training would sound like the least cumbersome route.  

If you compare injury rates among different sports (including weightlifting) within the context of competition you will have answered another question/hypothesis but still have avoided their main concern which is whether maximums lifts are the problem.

I would draw up a hypothesis and then when agreed on that begin the more arduous task of the design of the study to answer the hypothesis.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I don't see a comparison against strength training as being possible at a level which will be considered legitimate by the pediatricians. There aren't competitions in strength training, meaning statistics would have to be based on training. Thus, we would have to have health/injury professionals monitoring massive numbers of training hours. I think competition statistics are most valuable as the intensity at competitions is presumably higher than training on average.

I am still trying to form a mission statement that is acceptable to 'our group.' The hypothesis, in my mind, is simple- "Weightlifting is safe for adolescents." But, before we can come up with an acceptable design, we need a mission statement, in my opinion, so that we know what design could accomplish our purpose. Basically, if we have to collect injury data in other sports, I would think its basically outside our capability without major funding.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Okay, I guess a new study designed on the forum is not going to happen. I will again add writing a rebuttal to the pediatricians to my to-do list, which is getting pretty long these days.  :D

I hope someone out there is enjoying the work I'm doing on this forum.  :D

Thanks for your support.

[joedelago]

Chris-  sorry about that.  I thought it was a good idea.  This is typical of the weightlifting community's reaction to this topic, though.  We seem to be eager to bitch about the AAP's position, but unwilling to do what it takes to change it.  Joe