Hi Customer (name blocked for privacy), welcome to JA. You are correct to be cautious in adding weights to your daughter's jumping drills. The growth plate (epiphyseal plate)is the area near the end of the long bones in children and adolescents where tissue develops until full height/size is acheived and the growth plate is replaced by solid bone. This usually occurs in mid to late adolescence. Until this time the growth plate is vunerable to injury because it is the weakest part of the growing skeleton. An injury that would cause a sprain in an adult would be more likely to fracture the growth plate. Growth plate fractures are most common in at the wrist, ankle, foot and hip bone.
Strengthening her ankles, and supporting muscles, is safe and well advised. However, adding them during drills has risks. The weights, if too heavy, could injure the ankle directly, but even properly sized weights will alter her balance, causing her to land unnaturally or fall.
Initially, wearing the weights during daily activities or on walks, will begin to strengthen the ankles and legs, and get her accustomed to managing the weights. She can advance to using them during a stretching/strengthening routine, but should be instructed on body mechanics to prevent in jury from poor technique. Inform her Pediatrician of her new exercise plan, and he can evaluate her during regular yearly checkups, for progress and joint health, and can advise you when she is ready to begin adding weight to her drills. Close examination of joints is advised for young cheerleaders, even without weight training.
Good luck to you both, Christy
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