Does Lifting Weights Stunt Development in Children? What Mother and father Have to Know

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

Quickly after, a guardian messaged me: “Is that really protected? I’ve at all times heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s progress.”

And you already know what? It’s a sound concern.

As a result of as dad and mom, we would like our children to be lively 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 kids.

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

In the event you grew up listening to that lifting weights too early may “harm 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 concern of injuring one thing referred to as the progress plates—areas of growing cartilage close to the ends of kids’s bones, the place bone progress occurs. So naturally, the concept of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised considerations.

Then there’s the picture of many Olympic weightlifters: brief, highly effective athletes who raise huge masses. It’s straightforward to imagine the game made them that manner—however that’s not what occurred.

They’re brief as a result of that physique kind provides them a mechanical benefit within the sport. Not as a result of lifting stunted their progress.

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

The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes progress points.

What the Science Really Says About Energy Coaching and Development

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

The truth is, when completed correctly, resistance coaching has no detrimental impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it might really improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop damage.

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

Right here’s what the analysis reveals:

• A assessment revealed in Pediatrics concluded there may be no proof that youth resistance coaching negatively impacts progress plates or linear progress.

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

• The American Academy of Pediatrics helps energy coaching for kids, so long as the main focus is on approach and never maximal weights.

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

How Secure Is Youth Weight Coaching, Actually?

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

Seems, resistance training is likely one of the most secure bodily actions your youngster can do—when completed 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 is determined by the way it’s completed.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Children raise weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their kind or approach

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

• Gear isn’t suited to their measurement

• There’s no development or satisfactory 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 prepare.

The way to Make Energy Coaching Secure for Children

Right here’s how one can hold it protected, sensible, and helpful:

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

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

Why This Issues So A lot for Mother and father

As a result of all of us need our children to be robust, lively, and assured. However we additionally wish to defend them.

As an alternative of avoiding energy coaching or creating concern round it, let’s train them to do it proper.

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

And that’s one thing price 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