Sports Training: Safe Weight Gain for Young Athletes

Good training programs and diets can help kids bulk up naturally

Christina D'Amato, NCC News

Liverpool, NY- Getting extra protein into his diet is important to Bryan Clegg. He plays Lacrosse for Liverpool High School and with practice, weight training and games, Bryan drinks protein shakes five times a day to gain muscle and bulk up.

“I gained a lot of lean muscles from taking the proteins. It’s a lot simpler to whip up a protein shake than to make a steak," Bryan Clegg, Liverpool Varsity Lacrosse.

THE GAME & THE JUICE

Liverpool high school is one of the top division schools for lacrosse in New York state.

“At our level, every game is intense every game is hard fought and physical. Beat big schools, there’s big guys and it take a pounding on you if your not in shape you wear down quickly,” Jay Graham, Liverpool Lacrosse Coach, said.

The frequent over-emphasis on winning in sports may drive some young athletes to abuse their body's nutritional status, often with dangerous consequences. According to Coach Graham, a majority of his athletes are turning toward protein shakes to get bigger faster. A recent study shows that one in five teens reported using a dietary supplement to gain body mass.

According to the GNC web site, whether it is to gain bulky muscle, tone muscle or to gain weight first and then build muscle, protein supplements like Mass Maker and NO-Xplode can accommodate all of these possibilities.

HEALTH EFFECTS

According to health experts, these stimulants are not good for a growing body and too much protein can be dangerous.

"Too many proteins change your metabolism. You get rid of it via your liver and kidneys. And if you’re overusing them, you can have problems,” Timothy Fairchild, Syracuse University Exercise Science, said.

PROTEIN INDUSTRY A SHAM?

According to Doctor Robert Dracker of Summerwood Pediatrics, the multi-billion dollar protein shake industry is a sham, promising more then it can deliver.

"The body will only use what it needs. You can give it all the protein you want and it doesn’t build muscle directly."

By following more healthier approaches like taking a vitamin, adding foods like fish, pasta and chicken to your diet and the right amount of exercise, student athletes would get the same results.

As for Bryan Clegg, he will continue drinking protein as he plays lacrosse at Syracuse University next year. But Clegg knows he was not recruited because of his bigger muscles, it was because of his hard work and talent on the lacrosse field.