Too Young?

[Richie]

I saw a thread elsewhere about an upper age for certain track and field events. But what about a minimum age? The guy here-KevinSK with his shin pain made me wonder. Given the fact that the body is still growing and developing is it safe to train below a certain age, without over stressing the body?

When would it be ok to start a training regime?

[mudskipper]

I think any time people are training and competing in physical events certain things need to be taken into consideration such as maturity emotionally and physically and a running estimate of how the body is handling the stress. If a young person enjoys running and it doesn't seem to be harming their growth why not let them run? However if running is stunting their growth or impacting proper muscle tone then they need to stop until their body can handle the stress.

[BarkinMad]

I think that there is a big difference between running because you enjoy it, and running because it's fun, and training. The first is recreation and the second has the very real possibility of hurting bones I would think.

I haven't seen locally, anyone accepted to our club before about 12-14 years old.

[KevinSK]

I think it is natural, and people exercise all the time. You see, i've done PLENTY of running when i was little and i was fine. I think it's because i haven't been ru nning as much over the recent years, so my body is simply getting used to it again. I believe that if you've been conditioned since small, you'd be fine.

[loopthelaces]

I agree young people should be allowed to train and compete so long as they are kept from opverdoing it. Yes kids run, but they don't normally run in organized patterns fullout for long periods, etc. Play is naturally go and stop to adjust for running out of breath and getting tired. By time you're around 12 you're mostly frown and starting to train slowly shouldn't pose too many problems.