Does Lifting Weights Stunt Development in Children? What Dad and mom Have to Know

A number of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my house health club with my 3-year-old toddler subsequent to me, copying me along with his personal little barbell. It was a type of candy moments I can’t assist however share—I simply love these bonding moments.

Quickly after, a dad or mum messaged me: “Is that truly protected? I’ve all the time heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s development.”

And you realize what? It’s a sound concern.

As a result of as dad and mom, we wish our youngsters to be energetic and wholesome—however we additionally need them to be protected.

So let’s discuss that concern. The place it comes from, what the science really says, and what to look out for in terms of resistance coaching for youngsters.

The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Development” Fable Come From?

When you grew up listening to that lifting weights too early might “injury your bones” or “make you shorter,” you’re not alone. That perception has been round for some time.

However the place did it really come from?

A part of it’s linked to the worry of injuring one thing referred to as the development plates—areas of growing cartilage close to the ends of kids’s bones, the place bone development occurs. So naturally, the thought of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised issues.

Then there’s the picture of many Olympic weightlifters: quick, highly effective athletes who elevate huge hundreds. It’s straightforward to imagine the game made them that approach—however that’s not what occurred.

They’re quick as a result of that physique sort provides them a mechanical benefit within the sport. Not as a result of lifting stunted their development.

Enjoyable truth: The all-time world report holder in snatch and clear and jerk, Lasha Talakhadze, is a towering 6 ft 6 inches tall (197 cm).

The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes development points.

What the Science Truly Says About Energy Coaching and Development

Let’s begin with the large one: No, lifting weights doesn’t stunt a baby’s development.

In truth, when accomplished correctly, resistance coaching has no adverse impact on bone improvement. Quite the opposite, it could actually really improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop harm.

Particularly as your youngster will get older, combining resistance coaching with different sports activities can cut back their threat of harm.

Right here’s what the analysis reveals:

• A assessment printed in Pediatrics concluded there’s no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts development plates or linear development.

• The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) states that youth energy coaching applications, when correctly supervised, are protected and useful.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps energy coaching for youngsters, so long as the main target is on method and never maximal weights.

• A examine within the Journal of Energy and Conditioning Analysis discovered that harm charges in youth weight coaching are considerably decrease than in lots of well-liked sports activities.

How Secure Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?

Let’s check out harm charges per 1,000 hours of participation throughout totally different sports activities:

Seems, resistance training is among the most secure bodily actions your youngster can do—when accomplished proper.

When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Children

So now that we’ve busted the parable, let’s discuss when weight coaching really can be dangerous for teenagers.

Like something, it depends upon the way it’s accomplished.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Children elevate weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their type or method

• They’re pushed to elevate too heavy, too quickly

• Tools isn’t suited to their dimension

• There’s no development or enough restoration

However let’s be trustworthy—that’s not simply true for teenagers. That’s how adults get injured too. It appears lifting weights safely isn’t about age—it’s about how we practice.

Methods to Make Energy Coaching Secure for Children

Right here’s the way to preserve it protected, good, and useful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching strategies and progressions
✅ Concentrate on method—not the quantity of weight
✅ Age-appropriate programming with correct relaxation
✅ Tools that matches their physique
✅ Hold it enjoyable, skill-based, and interesting—particularly for youthful children

When these issues are in place, lifting weights turns into not simply protected—it turns into a basis for future motion abilities and lifelong physique consciousness.

Why This Issues So A lot for Dad and mom

As a result of all of us need our youngsters to be robust, energetic, and assured. However we additionally need to shield them.

As a substitute of avoiding energy coaching or creating worry round it, let’s train them to do it proper.

As a result of when it’s accomplished proper, energy coaching doesn’t simply construct muscle. It builds resilience, confidence, and lifelong wholesome habits.

And that’s one thing value lifting for. Wouldn’t you agree? —Marlene

References:

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/145/6/e20201011/76942/Resistance-Training-for-Children-and-Adolescents

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3483033/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3418954/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0949328X20301903

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5538a1.htm