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

This is a false claim.
Weight-lifting does not make a person shorter. Although if done incorrectly, a person's posture could maybe be affected, this is unlikely and not the same. Weight lifting is actually supposed to help improve posture, if done correctly.

An article posted on Linkedin helps clarify the matter, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/does-weight-training-actually-stop-height-growth-tanush-soni/.
This article, written by Tanush Soni, who declares themselves a motivator, states that there is no scientific reason to support the claim that weight training can negatively affect height.
Soni cites an article from Healthline, which says that weight lifting is a myth. It also says the claim started in reference more to children than adults.
Instead, weight lifting as numerous benefits, including improved posture, increasing strength, and increasing bone strength index.

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This is false. Weightlifting does NOT make you shorter. The author cites information that is not reliable, and they even say that the idea is referring to children, not adults. However, according to BetterHealth.gov, they say weightlifting can have effects on your body, that is making your bone health better and improving overall physical fitness. It no way stunts your growth, especially for children.

LINK: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/resistance-training-health-benefits

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There's nothing supported by scientific evidence that proves weightlifting makes you shorter. Our growth plates are softer throughout our years of childhood but during our teenage years, these growth plates harden. When weightlifting with proper form, you cannot exert enough pressure on the growth plates.
https://www.healthline.com/health/does-lifting-weights-stunt-growth

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The misconception in this post is centered around being versus appearing shorter. The article claims that weightlifting can not lead to a person becoming taller or shorter, but that certain habits associated with weightlifting can make them appear shorter. Some examples of this were squatting or poor posture while exercising. However, an article published by University of Hawaii Hospitals says "Strength training does not stunt growth….however, maximal lifting (highest weight amount you can lift one to three times) may put you at more risk for injury to the growing areas of a child’s body. Therefore, max lifting should be discouraged until after puberty." This statement cautions that  weightlifting underage could lead to injury, therefore putting the body at risk for underdevelopment.

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Weightlifting does not make you shorter. Contrary to a common myth, engaging in weightlifting, when done correctly and under proper supervision, does not stunt growth in children or adults. In fact, weightlifting can have numerous positive effects on the body, including improving bone health and overall physical fitness, according to BetterHealth.gov. It is important to note that weightlifting, when done safely and appropriately, does not inhibit growth, especially in children.

https://www.vinmec.com/en/news/health-news/beauty/does-weight-training-make-you-short/#:~:text=Shortness%20of%20weight%20training%20is,carries%20a%20risk%20of%20injury.

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This statement is incorrect because engaging in weightlifting does not result in a decrease in height. The author relies on unreliable information, specifically information on children and not adults. According to Healthline, Scientific evidence and research confirm that well-structured and supervised resistance training programs offer various benefits for children. These include enhanced strength and bone strength index, reduced risk of fractures and sports-related injuries, as well as fostering self-esteem and a greater enthusiasm for fitness.
https://www.healthline.com/health/does-lifting-weights-stunt-growth#What-does-the-science-say?

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This assertion is untrue.
A person who lifts weights does not get shorter. While it is unusual and not the same, a person's posture may be impacted if done incorrectly. If done properly, lifting weights is really meant to aid with posture.

This Linkedin article (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/does-weight-training-actually-stop-height-growth-tanush-soni/) sheds some light on the subject.
Tanush Soni, a self-described motivator, claims in this article that there is no scientific evidence to back up the idea that lifting weights can have a negative impact on height.
Soni refers to a Healthline article that claims weightlifting is untrue. It adds that youngsters were the target of the claim at first rather than adults.
Rather, lifting weights has many advantages, such as better posture, increased strength, and an increased bone strength index.

Answer 1

No linear evidence shows that weightlifting causes human beings to be shorter. The author says "No" to the question "Does weightlifting make you shorter" Throughout the blog the author explains how poor technique could lead to bad posture which causes lifters to appear shorter.

Comments

Where did you find your information?

Answer 2

This is a complete myth, as stated at the beginning of the article. The belief stems from concerned parents or guardians wondering if weightlifting damages their children's growth plates. Yet, the only scientifically proven facts for weightlifting are beneficial, as it increases strength and bone support index (BSI,) decreases fracture risk and other major sports-related injuries, promotes interest in fitness, and grows self-esteem.

Answer 3

This claim is false and misleading. Weightlifting with proper form and caution will not result in becoming shorter according to Alejandro Perez of the University of Texas Medical Myths Blog. The reason why some people may believe this myth is because if a bone is injured via blunt trauma during weightlifting could result in appearing shorter. However the same could be said for any cause of blunt trauma to a bone, so weight lifting is not the culprit of this at all. Weightlifting instead has many benefits like strengthening bones and tendons and other mental benefits. So to put it simply no it is an exaggerated claim that weightlifting would make one shorter. Instead injuring that could happen during weight lifting has the potential to make one appear shorter. Here is a link to my source: https://sites.utexas.edu/think-twice/2022/03/09/does-weight-training-stunt-growth/

Answer 4

There are no studies that prove that weightlifting makes you shorter, but using incorrect form or too much weight can result in injuries that may affect your posture and spine. This could affect your height, which is why it’s essential to lift with proper technique to limit risks. “ Experimental training protocols with weights and resistance machines and with supervision and low instructor/participant ratios are relatively safe and do not negatively impact growth and maturation of pre- and early-pubertal youth” (NIH). 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17119361/

Answer 5

This claim is false. In the article itself it says that it's false. However not properly doing weightlifting activities can ruin you posture which leads to you getting shorter. As long as you have proper form while you workout, you should not get any shorter in height.

Comments

What's your source? Strong fact-checks always have solid sources, whether from research/academic reports or reliable news outlets.

Answer 6

There is no evidence that lifting weights makes you shorter or stunts your growth, this goes for all ages. According to Nike weightlifting actually has numerous benefits to young athletes.

https://www.nike.com/a/can-weight-lifting-stunt-growth#:~:text=%22There's%20no%20evidence%20that%20weight,may%20offer%20more%20injury%20prevention.

Answer 7

Weightlifting does not make you shorter.  According to Robert M. Malina, from Pub Med, wrote a peer-reviewed paper on whether or not weight training affects in growth, particular in youth.  His conclusions were that weightlifting does not negatively impact growth and rather depends more on posture, sleep, and diet.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17119361/

Answer 8

This article also states how weightlifting does not make you short.

 "The short answer: no. But there are some caveats to keep in mind for teens looking to begin weight training, according to Carol Mack, D.P.T., C.S.C.S., strength coach and doctor of physical therapy."

"There's no evidence that weight lifting stunts growth," she said. "In fact, resistance training can help build coordination and strength in young athletes, and there's a strong push right now for young female athletes to lift weights in the hope that it may offer more injury prevention. That being said, there should be a focus on building proper form for this population before adding weight or resistance to their movements."(nike.com)

https://www.nike.com/a/can-weight-lifting-stunt-growth#:~:text=%22There's%20no%20evidence%20that%20weight,may%20offer%20more%20injury%20prevention. 

Answer 9

This claim is proven to be false. I read an article by University Health that said weight lifting does NOT stunt growth, however, if done wrong, there is more risk for injury and bad posture. 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 10

This claim is false. There is no evidence to support the idea that weightlifting makes you shorter or stunts kids growth. Weightlifting does have several benefits in terms of coordination and strength.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17119361/

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