Teen Health Course 3

Introduction

Staying fit involves more than exercising your heart and lungs.  You need to work on keeping your muscles and bones strong, as well.  This is done by lifting weights and is called “strength training.”  On the Web site below, you will learn about strength training and how it is different from other kinds of weight lifting.  You will also learn what you have to do in order to lift weights safely, and how this can improve your performance in other sports.

Link to explore: CNN Health
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/HQ/01010.html

Directions

• Start at the CNN Web site.
• Read the three pages on strength training.
• Take notes as you read.  When you are done reading, answer the questions below.
• Finally, using the information from the link, list the ways you think lifting weights could help you.  For example, maybe you would like your legs to be stronger when you ride your bike, or would like to have some nice muscles to show off at the beach.  Once you have your list, do some research to find out what kinds of weight lifting exercises would help you reach your goal, and where you can go to life weights either at your school or in your community.

1.			What is strength training for kids?
2.			If strength training for kids isn't about lifting the heaviest weight possible, what is the focus?
3.			A child can build muscle strength using which four methods?
4.			What does a youth strength training program needs to focus on?
5.			What are the eight general principles of youth strength training?