Weight lifting and stunted growth

**CPARAM** · 04-14-2003, 10:07 PM

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I know a guy who started lifting heavy in highschool and stopped growing for 3 years, in college he became a lazy ass and landed up growing like another 6 inches his junior year. This guy is like 6'9" right now. Anyone else know someone like this, or could someone explain this event

***BIG TEXAN*** · 04-15-2003, 07:32 AM

I'm not sure if weight lifting had anything to do with that....he might just have been a late bloomer. I have heard that if you start lifting at too young of an age it can cause problems. I've always heard you want to wait until about the age of 15 to start lifting. Not sure if there's any trhuth behind it but I'll bump this for ya.

**trida** · 04-17-2003, 06:10 PM

I too would also like to hear a little about this if anyone has any insight.

**brad fuel** · 04-18-2003, 02:41 AM

weight training can stun growth for kid pre pubescent.
During teen years, if they do weight train, everything should be aleast 10 reps or below 75% 1rm. Doing more than that will stun growth.

During teen years it's better for them to train cardiovascularly cuz that system is developing and can really make a big difference in V02 max, something that stays with you for life (or pretty close). If the kid weight trains, yeah he'll be stronger at first but other kids won't have a problem catching up after a year or two.

**spikypiboy99** · 07-09-2003, 02:12 PM

weight lifting has been proven to promote growth (within reason). if your 12, you can lift light weights.

**slick1921** · 07-29-2003, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by CPARAM

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I know a guy who started lifting heavy in highschool and stopped growing for 3 years, in college he became a lazy ass and landed up growing like another 6 inches his junior year. This guy is like 6'9" right now. Anyone else know someone like this, or could someone explain this event

I had the same conerns and I asked my doctor and said said that its just a myth.

**big daddy k de** · 07-30-2003, 12:17 AM

my doc saide that liffts like mill press, squats, deadliift at hevy lbs can compress the groth plates in the spine. I would like to hear the opinion of a Doc on the bord

**Red Ketchup** · 07-30-2003, 08:07 AM

From my readings, the whole "working out stunts your growth" thing is a myth.

On the other hand, any kind of training for a kid must be age appropriate. If you're trying to make a powerlifter out of a 12yo, there is little doubt that he's gonna get hurt.

I've been looking into this as my 10yo (heavily into Hockey and Soccer), has been bugging me to come to the gym with dad now and then.

If I allow it, it will only be for stuff like running, biking, rowing machine, low weight-high rep on some nautilus machines (hard to screw up form and get hurt on those) and swimming laps in the pool. NO free weights, no Hammer Strenght machines...

Of course until puberty starts (hence production of test.), there is very little point in working out if putting on size on a scrawny kid is desired, but of course keeping in shape and gaining good habits for life is desirable (specially now in the couch potato nintendo-kids generation).

I've also read somewhere that working out REASONABLY at a young age does promote healthy growth.

I guess the whole thing about kids and teens working out all comes down to reasonable and age appropriate exercises.

I would also very much like to hear the opinions of one of our Doctor bros on the board on this subject.

Red

**redrock** · 07-30-2003, 09:43 AM

I started lifting at 13. I was probably 5'9" I'm not 21 and 6'2" I grew an inch last year so it appears I am somewhat of a late bloomer. I never did squats and deads until last year, but I think the whole thing's a myth in my opinion. REDROCK

**mfenske** · 07-30-2003, 02:24 PM

I've been lifting since age 9 and it didn't stunt my growth, I'm 4'7" tall. Just messing with everyone. I can't see how heavy lifting would affect anyone's growth. My example is this: here in Wisconsin there are lots of farm kids that are tall and they do plenty of heavy lifting that would be similar to bodybuilding. Doesn't seem to stunt their growth. Plus what would you rather, a slightly shorter more buff and athletic kid or a taller fat couch potato slob? Mark