A&P bone injury question

[mkhs08]

I cant find the answer to a question for my class on the internet or in my book.

Jay bechenstein went to weight-lifting camp in the summer between seventh and eight grade. He noticed that the camp trainer put tremendous pressure on himand his friends to improve their strength. After an especially vigorous workout, jay's arm felt extremely sore and weak around the elbow. He went to the camp doctor, who took X rays and then told him that the injury was serious, for the "end of his upper arm bone was starting to twist off." What happened? Could the same thing happen to Jay's 23 yr old sister who was also starting a weight training program?

I am assuming here that the damage to his bone is because he is increasing his weights when hes lifting to quickly because of the camp trainer is tellling him to and that his bones arent adampting as quickly because they are trying to grow therefore it is causing the bone to "twist off". Also I am guessing here that the same thing cant happen to his older sister because her bones arent developing like his are.. This is my best educated guess just want to know if I am right or not???

[bja420]

We are covering this now. The problem is that his epiphyseal plates in his long bones are still open and actively growing. Lifting heavy weights can cause permanent damage to these plates and can actually stunt growth. Around the age of 23 - 24 or so, these plates "close" or calcify, and the risk of permanent injury is much less because growth has stopped.

The key is the epiphyseal plate is still active and growing. While it is still "open" it is softer than bone because it is actually cartilage. During heavy stress, damage can occur more easily here than in actual bone. Fractures happen in the weakest areas first when placed under heavy stress.

Hope this helps.

Bj