DOES WEIGHTLIFTING STUNT YOUR GROWTH?

Question

FALSE

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. 
 

Answer 1

https://www.healthline.com/health/does-lifting-weights-stunt-growth#:~:text=The%20idea%20that%20lifting%20weights%20stunts%20growth,what%20the%20science%20and%20the%20experts%20say.

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

There are multiple sources that suggest the weightlifting stunting growth is a myth. Upon a google search, there numerous headers from Healthline and Nike that suggest experts can find "no evidence" of this causation. This is false.

Answer 2

Weightlifting does not stunt your growth, but it is recommended that children wait until after puberty to begin weight training. It will not directly stunt growth.

According to University Hospitals, "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." 

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 3

There is no supported evidence that states weightlifting stunts your growth. Based on the article by University Hospitals, linked below, its states that weightlifting won't stunt your child's growth just be sure that they are at least 8 years old so that they can develop the crucial balance skills necessary for proper form. Maximal lifting can put a child at risk for injury to the growing areas of their body. Overall, there is no evidence proving that weightlifting will stunt growth.

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 4

This is false. There is no scientific proof that weightlifting stunts growth. However according to Uhhospitals.org, maximum weight training as a child can cause injury to the growing areas inside the body. 

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 5

This claim is false. There is no scientific evidence with there being a correlation between weightlifting and stunting growth. Rather weightlifting provide many benefits such as, " 10% as strength improves, and optimizing performance and recovery with healthy nutrition, proper hydration, and adequate sleep."

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

Answer 6

This post is False, this article from uhospital.com 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.” 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 7

While some concerns lifting weights will stunt your growth the overall benefits outweigh the risks. People are concerned that young people whose growth plates are still developing, will damage them in a way that will stop them from growing. There is no evidence Other high-impact sports do affect these areas, lifting weights is the same. The main concerns with lifting weights are not maintaining proper form and lifting outside of a person's limits.

 https://sites.utexas.edu/think-twice/2022/03/09/does-weight-training-stunt-growth/