Weightlifting Debates Gets Heavy

Geezer is so impressed with his ability to perturb so many readers with a simple report from the New York Times that Stretching Doesn't Work that he can't wait to do it again. This time, he chooses a story written by Gina Kolata that questions the value of lifting weights, at least for those of us who just want to be better athletes, not body builders. Kolata mentions one recent study involving middle-distance runners that found that three months of resistance training improved leg strength and running efficiency. She quotes experts who argue that lifting weights also can increase endurance and reduce the risk of injury, especially to connective tissue. But Kolata also gathers the thoughts of Patrick O’Connor, an exercise scientist at the University of Georgia who points out that the weight-lifting studies are small, and that each seems to examine a different regimen, to measure outcome differently and to study different subjects — trained athletes, sedentary people, recreational athletes. O'Connor argues that is is impossible to draw conclusions.
Like most of her work, Kolata's piece is a great read, but the most informative part of it may be the many comments from readers.
Read more from Gina Kolata in the New York Times.