Everyone continues to bring up the success of the program with increased grade and confidence. I’m not talking about the levels of academics, I’m talking about levels of physical capacity.
I saw on one of the pictures a youth doing overhead lifts with what appeared to be a 35 pound dead lift bar. Probably York. Is that safe? Is his bone structure capable of that kind of stress. Adults are a different product as most have reached the levels capable in their growth of bones, ligaments, tendons and are closer to cookie cutter capacity. Youth have not. They grow at different levels and speeds and are dramatically different from each other.
You mentioned a lot of schools using this technique and are determining it to be safe because they do it. According to WEBMD, “CrossFit claims that the system is “empirically driven and clinically tested” which insinuates that the methods are scientifically supported. A review of the current scientific literature, however, shows no published studies about CrossFit in top-rated peer-reviewed strength and conditioning or exercise physiology research journals.” This particular entry was accomplished by Michael R. Esco, PhD, CSCS, HFS, is an assistant professor in the department of physical education and exercise science at Auburn University Montgomery in Montgomery, Ala.
Again, I’m not sasying it is or is not safe. I’m saying there is enough problem identification to apply it to kids without some approved source research for youth to erase the identified problems in using it for youth. So until they can clear up the possible cardiovascular problem and the danger of bone and joint injuries to developing bodies that school staff cannot measure, then consider the damage that could happen. And at this time, no one knows. Again, cart/horse.
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Any workout system can be misused particularly with growing young athletes.
Great care needs to be taken by instructors to keep kids from moving into workouts and exercises that might be dangerous.
As a fitness nut, my enthusiasm stems from the fact that kids are working out and they like it!
That said, your points are well taken.
Whether it's Crossfit or any other regime...great care needs to be taken by instructors so as to prevent young bodies from moving into dangerous territory re: heavy lifting, etc.