Weight lifting makes you shorter

Question

This is an incorrect statement. According to Elizabeth Millard from Nike's Sports & Activities Article Weightlifting doesn't stunt growth if you are working out with proper form and supervision. Lifting weights can help build strength and prevent injuries. Researchers and experts agree it's safe and beneficial for someone to weightlift when done right. 

Answer 1

The claim that weightlifting makes you shorter is incorrect. Looking at various studies, like one from the University of Cleveland Hospital, it states "weightlifting does not stunt your growth, but can put you at risk for injuries." Various other sources like the National Institute of Health, Nike, The University of Texas, and The National Library of Medicine all also state, lifting weights does not stunt growth or make you shorter. Therefore, I can confidently say that the claim is false.

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/#:~:text=Conclusion:%20Experimental%20training%20protocols%20with,%2D%20and%20early%2Dpubertal%20youth.

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

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

Comments

I really like how you have multiple sources from many different universities, government organizations and hospitals. However, how would you rate the claim? Who are the doctors, researchers and scientists within these universities, hospitals, and organizations? Is there someone who has experienced that weightlifting has made them shorter?

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I love how many sources you provided with your answer to ensure that you are correct. It's really helpful as a reader to see that many sources because it becomes more reliable. However I do think you could provide more evidence and provide a longer reasoning in your answer. With that many sources I feel like you could have provided more evidence in your answer.

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I like how you cited the quotes and utilized direct quotes from the various articles. The evidence is relevant and proves the claim to be incorrect, although, I think it could have been more beneficial to utilize more evidence from the sources mentioned.

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Love the various sources you used as well as the quotes from them. This is a common misconception that I've heard throughout my athletic career

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This is a good response! It directly addresses the misconception that weightlifting makes you shorter, providing a clear and confident counterargument.  The inclusion of studies and authoritative sources like the University of Cleveland Hospital, the National Institute of Health, and others gives the response credibility, showing that the statement is based on reliable research rather than opinion.

Answer 2

The claim stating "weight lifting makes you shorter" is exaggerated and false. This is a common myth, likely derived from the fact that it is possible to damage growth plates while lifting weights with improper form. Healthline cited a quote from Dr. Rob Raponi stating, "The misconception that lifting weights stunts growth likely stems from the fact that injuries to growth plates in immature bones can stunt growth... something that can result from poor form." So, although it is true that weightlifting can lead to a stunting of growth through other factors, being poor form which may lead to injury, it is not something that happens to everybody who lifts weights. This is why this claim is false. It gives a difinitve statement not backed up by evidence. By saying the word makes, it implies that this stunting of growth is inevitable when wight lifting. 

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

Comments

This factcheck was thorough and well done. You addressed the claim as being false and backed up your own claim as to why it was exaggerated. You included a quote that includes a reasoning behind why many people believe this myth. Your factcheck was well-supported and informational, good job!

Answer 3

The claim that weightlifting makes you shorter is incorrect, but this is already known by the article. The Nike Sport and Activity section states that weightlifting and woking out does not stunt your growth, but there are some caveats to bear when it comes to teens. The concept of weightlifting is actually encouraged for young athletes, especially females, because it will help build the body and prevent injuries. The important thing that needs to be done though is ensure that you're doing the form correctly because otherwise this can cause issues for the body and this is where we could damage being done. 

The reason that this idea had been brought up was because people came up with these conspiracy theories that when kids worked out too young with weightlifting that it would stunt their growth. Actually though it is scientifically shown that it increases strength and bone strength index, decreases fracture risk and rates of sports-related injury, and grows self-esteem and interest in fitness according to HealthLine.

Comments

You did a good job proving the claim to be incorrect. I like how you listed the sources for credibility and referenced the quotes from the various sources you utilized. The evidence you used was factual and relevant in proving the claim to be incorrect.

Answer 4

The idea that weightlifting makes you shorter is an incorrect claim. Observing a number of articles, the one released from Nike which utilizes statements from the study done by National Strength and Conditioning Association to state how it does not alter your height. There are also a number of sources surrounding this issue from sources such as Healthline and UT Austin who employ similar studies such as one from Pubmed Central which essentially all say the same thing. 

Answer 5

The claim that weight lifting can make you shorter is false. Many credible sites have already disproved this and it is a common misconception. Dr. Rob Raponi says that it is a misconception and that the believe stems from injuries to growth plates can stunt growth according to Healthline. In conclusion, weight lifting cannot stunt growth and the claim is false but injuries to growth plates can stunt growth.

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

Answer 6

The claim that weightlifting makes you shorter is incorrect. According to a credible article by UT Austin, it is stated that weightlifting will not harm growth plates, although it can cause direct blunt trauma, it will not make you shorter. Additionally, in an article by University Hospitals, it is stated that “strength training does not stunt growth… however, maximal lifting may put you at more risk for injury”. Therefore, if not careful strength training may affect levels of injury, however, strength training does not directly cause problems with an individual's growth. Overall, the claim that weightlifting makes you shorter is false and the source is not credible.

Answer 7

The claim that weight lifting can stunt your growth or make you shorter is false. From several studies, including the University of Texas, Nike, University Hospitals, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, all state that as long as the weight lifting is done safely and at age appropriate levels. As UT explains, "The key is understanding how to safely lift heavy weights and the potential dangers of a weight room," lifting is only physically dangerous to those who aren't trained.

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

https://www.nike.com/gb/a/can-weightlifting-stunt-growth

https://www.nsca.com/certification/cscs/

Answer 8

The claim that weight lifting makes you shorter is a completely invalid statement that can be proven false by multiple different resources, each with their own scientific research findings. The article below states, "The myth that kids will stop growing if they lift weights too young is not supported by any scientific evidence or research." The idea that lifting weights stunts your growth is a common misconception portrayed throughout the media, most people who are easily deceived by this misconception tend to be younger people who are mislead easily. Lifting weights has been proven to improve not only physical, but mental health and habits as well.

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