More Girls Hurt While Lifting Weights

As more women pump iron, the number of injuries to teenage girls took a big jump over the a nearly 20-year period, according to a study from Nationwide Children's Hospital.

A news release on the work found a 143 percent increase in injuries to girls from 1990 to 2007.

During that time period, the researchers found that about 970,000 people were hurt during weight training. Common injuries included sprains and strains, as well as pinched fingers and hands from dropped weights.

The study only looked at injuries that resulted in trips to a hospital.

Though girls suffered more injuries than before, 82 percent of the injuries were to men and boys. Ninety percent of the injuries were from free weights.

The study also found a big jump in injuries to those over 45 years old.

Experts said in the news release that most injuries happen not because people lift too much, but because young people aren't supervised enough. They offered tips for safety:

Never lift alone.

Always use a spotter.

Start slowly and build up to heavier weights.