does weightlifting stunt growth?

Question

does weightlifting stunt growth? i would like some scientific evidence if you could provide me with that...

Answer 1

No, but donkey punching does.

Answer 2

I am not sure about the scientific evidence, but I remember hearing and reading in physiology class a LONG time ago that weight lifting in the puberty stage takes energy and calories away from those needed for reproduction and can delay puberty, and in effect stunt growth. But I think this effect is pretty minimal, as plenty of NBA athletes have been lifting their entire life and have grown just fine. don't believe that lifting has any effect on growth unless there is concurrent use of steroids... which have been shown to stunt growth (this is all assuming you are still growing... after puberty it doesn't matter.)

Answer 3

If you do weight lifting naturally, aka no steroids, it will not stunt your growth. In fact, muscle growth increases with weight lifting. What happens is as you are lifting weights, you are actually straining/damaging muscle and then your body to begins to repair that damage, but builds up muscle further to prevent reoccurring damage. This is a primary reason why your regiment needs to work different muscle groups the next day, to allow the previous day's weight lifting to take effect and allow the body to 'repair' the muscles. Do bi's and tri's one day, then back and legs the next, etc. This will optimize muscle growth.

If the growth you are concerned with stunting is height, weight lifting has no impact other than a slight compression of spinal disks from lifting weights over head. This can be compensated for by with Chiropractic procedures or some sort of stretching device such as those where you wear boots that allow you to hang upside down allowing your spine to decompress. The overall impact to your height, however, is very insignificant and not noticable.

Answer 4

it depends on how much of it you indulge in and how you do it in the first place

if you concentrate your body's energy on muscle growth from a very, very young age, the energy of your body will be spent on that instead of other things like your immune system or height

how you eat and sleep are also controlling factors, as well as the type of body/genes that you inherit in the first place.

some bodies can endure a lot more abuse than others
you will find some more information on matters of size and the effects of testosterone as a primary growth hormone here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/sizematters.shtml

scientists discuss this issue and more with regards to size differences in animals and humans, and differences in and reasons for the way we look in general.

if you've finished your growth spurts for example, weightlifting won't stunt yoru growth, but too much weight lifting will give you joint problems, weak bones, torn muscles and can even lead to heart and weight problems in the future

most things that you can do to improve your health are good if done in moderation

Answer 5

It'll stunt your growth "down there" if you use steroids.

And it'll stunt the growth of your brain.

Answer 6

I've heard that it does if you are still growing. If you started lifting as an adult, no big deal. However, lifting during your teenage years may reduce your full potential.

Answer 7

Haven't seen information to support it.

Answer 8

no, not unless you consider arnold swartzenegger or lou feregno short men.

Answer 9

heavy overhead lifting can compress vertebrae - make you shorter

Answer 10

Can give you a nasty mischief.