Weightlifting makes you shorter

Question

There is a big argument that weightlifting will make you shorter over time. However, bad posture and muscle imbalances while doing workouts such as squatting, is the reason for appearing shorter.

Comments

Yeah, I totally agree with you. Weightlifting doesn’t shrink your height, and it’s weird how that myth keeps getting around. It’s mostly genetics and things like your nutrition and sleep that affect your growth, like you said. But I wonder, where do you think this misconception started? And do you think enough trainers or coaches talk about proper form and health balance when it comes to young athletes?

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Also, it’s interesting that you mention the challenge of setting up an experiment to test this.

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Hmmm that's a good question. I think high school sports especially, encourages weight lifting for their athletes, even providing students and student athletes with weight lifting classes to educate them about different muscles you can work on and how to correctly do so. Personally, I think because of that, younger generations aren't so quick to think that weight lifting affects their height. In my opinion, I think it may be the older generations who sees the "danger" and the intimidating intensity of weight lifting. There may be a lot of sources where this myth could come from as well.

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I think it's interesting as well. I took statistics in high school and they talked a lot about how difficult it is to conduct an experiment without being biased, using mixed up samples such as using a healthy AND a sick person on the same experiment, etc.

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This statement is not true, weightlifting is for improving strength but as said may lead to injury if not done with proper form. Also the website/blog it came from is very unreliable with ads and promotions on the site. Making it harder to trust the information but when it comes to this claim it's totally not true but was interesting to read about.

Answer 1

This claim is false, however does point out that weightlifting can alter someone's proportions, making them appear shorter. The article linked does not claim that weightlifting makes you shorter and points out this misconception.

Nike released this article about it, correcting this misconception aswell.

https://www.nike.com/a/can-weight-lifting-stunt-growth

Comments

This is a good fact check provides a separate source and more credible source. However does not have a lot of information on the actual topic at hand. This answer disproves the point he is making because it says that it can effect your posture and make you look shorter and that is the same thing that the original claim states.

Answer 2

According to a nutrition website, an article in response to this claim states that this myth is a common misconception. However, the only case in which weightlifting could possibly hinder growth is if lifting is done improperly as immature bones are still growing (as seen in younger people). Therefore, after your growth plates have permanently developed, lifting does not have any direct effect on your height. If carried out properly, the article continues to offer examples of how beneficial weightlifting is for people. 

Comments

This is a good fact check because it consists of a good credible source that gives good information and provides more information on the topic. This answer not only proves that it is a little misleading of a claim it also adds extra information to help prove the original claim was not bad it is just helping go into more depth through scientific studies.

Answer 3

There is no scientific evidence to the fact that weightlifting makes you shorter. https://www.nike.com/a/can-weight-lifting-stunt-growth#

Answer 4

No, there is no scientific evidence that weight training stunts growth. In fact, strength training can help young athletes build strength and coordination, and some young female athletes lift weights to help prevent injuries. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that strength training is safe for children ages 8 and up, and can help with physical health, mental health, bone health, and body composition.

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/does-lifting-weights-stunt-growth#:~:text=The%20myth%20that%20kids%20will,any%20scientific%20evidence%20or%20research.

https://www.nike.com/a/can-weight-lifting-stunt-growth

Answer 5

False, weight lifting does not make you shorter or stunt any growth in adults or growing children. In fact, it's the way people are uneducated that causes injuries, muscle tears and serious long-term effects. Studies from University Hospitals state that most of the injuries happen because children pick it up too early, hence, leading to injury in the growing regions of said children. They advise waiting until the child hits puberty and has learned the proper form. The same goes for adults. If you're going to lift you must learn proper form and start light before going for maximum output. If not, you'll get injured and that is what leads to long-term injuries that may cause people to feel "shorter."

https://www.uhhospitals.org/rainbow/services/pediatric-sports-medicine/patient-resources/fact-sheets/weight-training-fact-sheet#:~:text=Strength%20training%20does%20not%20stunt,be%20discouraged%20until%20after%20puberty.

Answer 6

This claim is not an accurate statement. The theory of weightlifting making people shorter is mainly highlighted towards children, even though the article displays a picture of an adult man lifting weights. Now, this type of working out can impact one's posture either for worse or better depending on their form while performing the lift. However, this does not play a factor into whether or not a person's body gets taller or shorter. Muscle growth is a definite aspect of constant weightlifting, but this gain doesn't increase or lessen overall height.

https://www.usaweightlifting.org/news/2024/february/09/the-science-behind-weightlifting-how-it-affects-your-body#:~:text=Unraveling%20the%20Science%20of%20Weightlifting,in%20muscle%20growth%20over%20time.

Answer 7

This claim is FALSE. It is believed to be true primary for youth who participate in weightlifting, although there is no sufficient evidence to support this claim. One reason as to why people believe this is because this is something that can result from poor form , but this is not the result of correctly performing the act of weightlifting.

https://www.healthline.com/health/does-lifting-weights-stunt-growth#Why-do-people-believe-that-lifting-weights-stunts-growth?

Answer 8

This claim is false, weightlifting does not make you shorter. According to Torokihty's Does weightlifting make you taller or shorter, the author focuses on if lifting weights can make you taller or shorter doing certain workouts. It says "No, increased muscular mass won’t increase your height. However, if it’s combined with the right mobility exercises and posture, it could help you stand taller". The article admits that it can affect your posture and mobility temporarily at times but nothing directly linked to your height. 

Similar, a Healthline article says "The myth that kids will stop growing if they lift weights too young is not supported by any scientific evidence or research. What is supported by scientific evidence and research is that properly designed and supervised resistance training programs have numerous benefits trusted Source for kids, including: increasing strength and bone strength index, decreasing fracture risk and rates of sports-related injury, growing self-esteem and interest in fitness". This supports the fact that many studies have shown that many other factors are tied in with weightlifting but getting shorter is not one of them.

https://www.healthline.com/health/does-lifting-weights-stunt-growth#What-does-the-science-say

Answer 9

This claim is Misleading. The claim is that weightlifting makes you shorter however, in the article it states that bad posture and muscle imbalances are the reason for appearing shorter. The author literally breaks his own claim with his article. As a matter of fact there has been no scientific evidence or research proving that weightlifting stunts growth. 

Does Weightlifting Really Stunt Growth? The Truth Behind the Myth

Does Lifting Weights Stunt Growth? What The Science Says

Answer 10

This claim is false. Per my source https://www.nike.com/a/can-weight-lifting-stunt-growth  Weightlifting definitely doesn't make you shorter. But there are some things to watch out for. Carol Mack, a strength coach and physical therapist, says there’s no proof that lifting weights messes with growth. In fact, it can help young athletes get stronger and improve their coordination. There’s also a big push for young girls to lift weights to prevent injuries. Honestly, it’s really important they learn proper form before they start adding weights.There’s a lot of proof that starting sports young can lead to a lifelong habit of staying fit, boost self esteem, and even help build empathy and toughness. While playing sports early comes with a bunch of benefits, you still have to think about overall health. One big debate has been whether weightlifting can stunt the growth of kids and teens.