Ever wish you could be as muscular as a superhero or your
favorite professional athlete? Well, the big muscles
you're thinking about aren't possible for kids.
Superheroes, of course, aren't real, and professional athletes
are grown-ups, whose bodies are different from kids' bodies in
many ways.
Boys, especially, might wish for bigger muscles, but their
bodies can't build that kind of grown-up muscle until
they're older. On the bright side, both boys and girls
can
do a lot to build strong, healthy
muscles
. Let's find out how.
Playing Makes Muscles
It sounds too simple, but it's true. Playing, running,
jumping, and riding your bike can make your muscles stronger. Any
physical activity you like to do - from dancing to playing football
- can make you stronger. Why? Because you're using your muscles
when you do it.
Eat Strong
What should you eat if you want strong muscles? You might think
you need a lot of foods that contain
protein
(such as meat and eggs) or foods that contain iron. But there's
no one magical food that helps build muscles. Your muscles - and
your entire body - will be strong and healthy if you eat a
variety of nutritious foods
.
Should You Pump Iron?
Some kids want to lift weights so they can look bigger and
stronger. But lifting weights won't produce big muscles in kids
who haven't gone through
puberty
yet, and lifting heavy weights can be dangerous to kids'
muscles and tendons.
With supervision from a coach or trainer, kids can do some light
weight lifting or exercise with resistance bands (large rubber
bands). This kind of exercise can improve muscle tone, meaning a
kid's muscles will be leaner and stronger, but not really
bigger.
Push-ups, sit-ups, and chin-ups also help build strong muscles.
But so can plain old running, jumping, and climbing. Get the
message? More play time means stronger muscles. Now that's
something to get pumped up about!
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: July 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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