My brothers, who lift weights, said to me that they are unsure that if weight-lifting can stunt height or not. I tend to believe that it cannot stunt growth. In my Physical Education class, we used to lift wieghts and I don't believe that the school would have us do anything that can mess with our health in any way. I once tried the bench press four years ago and I have grown about a foot since. My Biology teacher said that weight lifting cannot stunt growth. As a matter of fact, he said it helps humans to grow taller. My uncle also said that weight-lifting cannot stunt growth. However, I saw various websites that said weight-lifting stunts growth. It is almost difficult to believe that various websites would pass along wrong information. One of my friends who lift weight said that he has heard people saying that weight lifting can stunt growth. He has not grown since lifting weight. My brothers have grown little to none since lifting weights. So my question remains: Does weight lifting stunt human's growth?
of course according to fromobile, the growth of certain things on kevin have not been stunted by weigth-lifting.
It doesn't "stunt" growth in the sense that it creates some sort of problematic imbalance in the body. However, heavy weightlifting DOES shorten muscle length which can create some muscle lengthening issues. For example, the range of motion of bodybuilders is much less than most because their muscles are bulked and, as a result, shorter and less flexible. There have been some studies that have concern with weightlifting at an early age (prior to 15 or 16 for example) because the body is going through so many chemical and muscular changes during that time. As the body goes through those changes, the stress of heavy weightlifting can put undue burden on muscles that really require flexibility for the accelerated growth that is happening. Bottom line: be smart. Don't try to be Mr. Olympia until you get older. If you want to build muscle, fine. Just build flexibility too by doing lots of stretching. You won't find a much more lean and muscular frame than Bruce Lee had but the guy could still hold his leg straight up at the side of his body and do the splits. By the way, PE teachers don't know everything. Learn for yourself and don't trust strange websites or phys ed instructors. Find some legitimate, well-respected sources for weight training at the library.
I doubt it stunts growth. However, shorter people have a more conducive frame for working out compared to taller people, IMO. Just look at a bench press....if you're short, you don't have as far to push the barbell back up, whereas if you are tall, you have a significant amount more that has to be pushed back up for you to complete a rep.
Some of what Jeff said is true, mainly don't try to be Mr. Olympia if you are in your early to mid teens. While weight lifting in general in your early teens probably won't hinder your growth, I wouldn't suggest heavy weight lifting until 17-18. Heavy weight lifting doesn't shorten muscle length any more than simply sitting around on your ass doing nothing. Even true bodybuilders can have the range of motion of a ballerina as long as you take time to work on your flexibility by taking the time to stretch. Stretch for at least 5-10 minutes before working out(or longer) and even afterwards. Ronnie Coleman, who has won the Mr. Olympia title the last few years is one of the most flexible people you will ever meet. Flex Wheeler was known to do splits during his routines at the Mr. Olympia. There ya go...stretching is very key to maintaining or increasing flexibility and mobility.
One of the main keys for youngsters (I'd say under the age of 20), is to not go too heavy. It's much better at that age to do more reps w/ less weight than vice-versa. Especially benchpress & incline - you're just asking for shoulder probs later if you're overdoing it.
After lifting weights, the muscle gets a tear. Therefore, it is advised that after lifting weights, one should rest (from lifting weights) the following day to let that tear hear with more muscles growing in. Can you still partake in sports activities, such as basketball, after lifting weights the same day of the workout or the day after?
At my school i play basketball, and we weightlift Mon, Wed, Fri, so that goes along with taking a day off which you should, but we also play basketball pick up games after weightlifting and do open gyms Tues. and Thurs. so i guess its alright to do that.
