The problem of generalisation

If you're going to take health and fitness advice from the internet, you will need to understand the problem of generalisation. I call this the dilemma of: 'Yes, in principle, but in practice no', which is the difference between something that may be generally correct, but wrong without proper context. Alternatively, a piece of advice might apply to an individual, or a group of individuals possessing a specific trait, but not to a diverse population or group.

Olympic lifting is an example. The principle of O lifting is sound, but its safe application depends on the individual having excellent thoracic mobility/ range of motion (among other qualities). Deep squatting requires very good hip range of motion to curb lumbar stress.

Lifting weights during childhood is an excellent example of the problem of generalisation. The various physiological qualities that underpin movement can be represented on something statisticians call a bell curve - an upside-down U with tails at each end. As we move from the middle toward the right edge, we find increasingly gifted individuals whereas the population becomes progressively physically inferior as the curve passes from the middle toward the left edge.

Children who appear on the right edge are very likely to cope and prosper with advanced physical training/ stresses because they possess the necessary skills and physical structure. Children at the left hand edge of the bell curve will not. Children around the middle may or may not possess the physical qualities needed. Are parents reliably aware of whether their children possess deficits or advanced capacities? No, they're not, and the internet also provides no safe set of tools for determining individual risk factors.

I could make as strong an argument against children generally using weights in the gym by discussing the nature of motor skill and physical development, and how there is simply no need to take risks during childhood. The qualities of quickness/ speed and highly efficient movement don't require extreme muscle strength due to the advantage of low body weight.