Weightlifting Does Not Stunt Growth!!

[MrTestosterone]

^^^^Just that! There's no need for any more threads on this issue!

The rumor originated from cases of spinal damage (which leads to bad posture = shorter) from the use of heavy weights and BAD FORM by people still growing.

[THE_IMPALER]

How do you know this?

[MrTestosterone]

How do you know this?

Research, doctor's info, word from personal trainers.

[2Ripped4U]

How do you know this?

Weight Lifting for Children and Teens

By: Jay Horowitz

Although numerous articles have been written for the older bodybuilder who is just beginning, I feel that the true beginner, the child, has been neglected. This article will focus on weight lifting for children and teenagers and its risks, benefits, and controversies.
One of the biggest myths about weight lifting is that it stunts your growth. No studies have ever been shown that lifting weights stunts or inhibits growth. But, as with any exercise program, if you do too much too soon, physical problems can occur no matter how old the person doing the exercise is. The most important aspects when training as a child are supervision, exercise technique
As a teen, you may gradually progress to heavier weights with lower reps, around 10 per set.
If you are a normal teen, somewhere between sedentary and athletic, you should undertake a more intense program. As a beginner, you want to work out three times a week, doing 10 repetitions per set, and around 4 sets per exercise. Use 3 to 4 exercises per body part. Try to stay away from compound movements (using a number of muscles, i.e. clean & jerk, bench press, deadlift), as their execution is very technical, and you can injure yourself if you are not under proper supervision. Once you become more advanced, you may wish to switch to a split-routine, in which you train different body parts on different days.
THERE YOU HAVE IT

[2Ripped4U]

Does Weight Lifting Stunt Growth in Height?

I get this question all the time: "I'm in my teens and I want
to start weight lifting. But someone recently told me that
weightlifting can stunt my growth. Is this true?"

It's seems this myth will never die. But I will try again to
kill it.

The whole notion of growth being stunted by weight lifting is
a myth. It didn't stunt the growth of Shaquille O'Neal, David
Robinson, Karl Malone, Michael Vick, etc. They all started
lifting in their early teens, and all have gone on to be well
over 6' tall and star in professional sports.

Dave Draper and Arnold Schwarzenegger started lifting very
young and both are 6'1" or taller. Lou Ferrigno started
working out at 14 years old at the height of 5' 9" and grew to
6' 5" - taller then anyone in his family!

So the answer is no, weightlifting does not stunt height growth, or
any other kind of growth, for that matter. There is no scientific
evidence to support such ideas and, in fact, books such as the
Russian, School of Height, suggest that weight training may
stimulate growth. The latest weight training studies done on
teens showed only positive effects.

I'd also point out that activities such as running and jumping
create forces on the body that are six to eight times one's body
weight. The compression forces on his legs and spine are far
greater in running and jumping than they will ever be in
squatting or pressing over head.

Not only will proper weight training not stunt growth, it allows
teens to grow up with stronger muscles and bones, along with a
healthy lifestyle. It certainly benefits any other sport they
engage in.

Even though proper weight training protocols will not inhibit
growth, the risk for such occurrences and injuries are just like
anything else. If you have proper instruction and a
well-organized program,,your chances are very low.

It is important to learn the basics of weight training and get
medical clearance from your doctor before you begin.

Careful attention should be paid to correct weightlifting form, and
not using too much weight or too much stress placed on the
joints. This is still true, of course for everyone, regardless
of age, and no one should ever try to do more weight than they
can reasonably lift, otherwise injury can occur.

Correct technique will reduce any risk of injury and develop your
strength more effectively than not training with proper technique.
The greatest benefits and smallest risks occur when 8 to 15
repetitions can be performed with a given weight before adding
weight in small increments.

Remember if you are going to exercise regularly always do a
warm up followed by some stretching. After your workout take
5-10 minutes to cool down and do some more gentle stretching.
Studies have shown that people who warm up and cool down
adequately have far fewer injuries.

[2Ripped4U]

Authored by noted Authority Michael J. Wittmer, D.C.

Michael Wittmer graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in 1980. He has been in private practice in the St. Louis ever area since. Mike has been on the faculty of Logan College since 1985. He teaches courses in technique and case management. Dr. Wittmer is also on the post-grad faculty for Logan and he is contributing author for the core text used at the college, Chiropractic Technique and Spinal Biomechanics.

Michael Wittmer played football in college and competed in Olympic weightlifting for 15 years, reaching the national levels in the sport. He is currently a certified USAW coach and also a national referee. Mike competed in a few national level meets including the 1980 Olympic Trials (9th place) and held state and local records with best lifts of 330 in the snatch and 407 in the clean and jerk.
Mike coaches his son Jeff, a three time junior national champion and Justin Thacker, also a junior national champion.

There is much controversy regarding weight training and the adolescent. Probably the most common myth is that it will stunt growth. After searching the literature, I could not find any research that supports that theory. In fact, the only significant finding was that one must follow an appropriate diet if engaged in heavy physical activity, with the emphasis on caloric intake and adequate protein. After the recent Olympics, it became even more apparent that most elite athletes began their training at a very young age. Also evident, almost all utilize some form of strength training to enhance performance. The purpose of this is not to debate the pros and cons of various forms of exercise and how they may or may not relate to a particular sport. Instead, I will discuss some of the experiences with my own son, how he got started in weight training and eventually competitive weight lifting.