Weightlifting makes you shorter

Question

The claim that weightlifting makes you shorter is a myth. The myth is that starting weightlifting too early makes children stunt their growth. In fact, weightlifting can increase bone strength index and decrease risk of injury, even at a young age. Weightlifting with poor form can increase the risk of injury and stunt growth plates, however, if the child or adult is weightlifting with proper form, there are no risk negatives to lifting too early.

Answer 1

There is no proven fact that weightlifting stunts growth or makes you shorter. According to Nike, it can help build strength and coordination, especially in younger athletes. According to uhhospitals.org, it will not cause any stunting but weightlifting can cause injuries and strain to the body of a growing child. So as a result, weightlifting doesn't make you shorter. 

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

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

Comments

This was an informational answer! And those links were handy, thank you. Though I need to ask, where did they come from? Is there a reason you chose those few specific websites to inspect the claim that weightlifting makes you shorter?

---

I like your use of credible sources like University Hospitals and the PubMed study. University Hospitals explains the idea that weightlifting doesn’t stunt growth but highlights the risk of injury if done improperly well and helps to distinguish the common misconception. The PubMed citation from a .gov site adds another layer of validity to the claim.

Answer 2

Although the article states that lifting weights won't stunt growth, there is little to no evidence on why it won't stunt growth. Other than the article talking about lifting weights incorrectly, the one liable source from Dr. Rob Raponi states that some might be lifting with "immature" bones instead of stunting growth. The article after that talks about lifting weights correctly, which steers away from the main claim.

Answer 3

There are no real facts that support "weightlifting stunts your growth". According to an article written by Nike, Carol Mack, 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." The article above also provides this statement - "The myth that kids will stop growing if they lift weights too young is not supported by any scientific evidence or research." Therefore, this claim is false. But when weight training young, you should always be careful and learn to lift the correct way, as it can result in bone or muscle injury. 

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

Answer 4

The rumored notion of young lifters or even gymnasts having their growth stunted seems to have been around for as long as I can remember. That said, numerous sources refer to this as only a rumor, which is not plausible. Lifting weights and exercising are strongly recommended for teenagers and kids to boost coordination early in life. Still, it is recommended not to lift weights until after eight and not to lift heavy (maximum weight) until post-puberty. Also, kids are easily injured if not using the proper form and weight; it is recommended to only lift with an experienced lifter or trainer.

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.

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

Answer 5

The belief that weight lifting makes you shorter is false and has been proven to be false by many sources. While is does say that extremely heavy lifting at young ages could cause injuries to ones growing areas, there is absolutely no proof that weightlifting makes anyone shorter.

https://www.uhhospitals.org/rainbow/services/pediatric-sports-medicine/patient-resources/fact-sheets/weight-training-fact-sheet#:~:text=Strength%20training%20does%20not%20stunt,areas%20of%20a%20child's%20body.