does exercise slow/limit vertical growth in teens?

[iskim86]

words are floating around in my house that anaerobic exercise during teen years will restrain/slow/limit vertical growth. is this true? I'm 16 and I'm currently benchpressing and working with dumbells/free weights every other day. will this limit my vertical growth? is my growth going to stop at 5'8"? and one more thing, does eating a lot more than you need help growth or does it just build fat? thanks

 

[Excelsior]

Excellent question. Ive been wondering the same tihng myself. Maybe I am just looking for a way out of exercising . I know that as we grow we defninitely need to feed our bodies with all the nutrients it needs, so don't starve yourself (I doubt you would anyway since you are a teenager like me). I try to eat healthy but I dont by any means diet extremely. I know when i am older I have more options but for now Id rather make sure I don't stunt my growth in anyway. Oh..and did you try googling the subject?

 

[Mrburns2007]

There is no study that has ever indicated that weight traning stunts your growth, this is a left over old wives tale from the 50's.

Your height is determined by genetic factors and weight training doesn't interfere with them.

I started out at 14 years old, I was 5'3" and 120 lbs, now I'm 6' and 245.....my mother is 5'2" and my father is 5'11" so I doubt I would ever be taller then 6'.

 

[Codewiz]

I lifted weights, ran cross country, ran track, and played Tennis throughout junior high and high school. I am 6'2"

 

[rh71]

You would think that, Mrburns, and I wouldn't believe that it affects it either because it hasn't been proven. But watch weight lifting competitions and you'll see that they're (almost all) < 5'10". Coincidence? I doubt it. It's not just exercising, it's the physical act of lifting weights vs. gravity. Sound stupid? I think so - but you can't deny most of them are shorter than your avg. person.

On the flipside, while I never wanted to believe my parents were right, basketball players tend to be taller. The constant "exercising" of the leg muscles help it to grow faster/more than your avg person. Even true for the female players.

You cannot attribute height entirely to genetics. I'm sure you know someone who is taller than 6', but had parents/grandparents who were shorter than 5'10". How you treat your body helps to mold your physical stature.

 

[Mrburns2007]

Originally posted by: rh71
You would think that, Mrburns, and I wouldn't believe that it affects it either because it hasn't been proven. But watch weight lifting competitions and you'll see that they're (almost all) < 5'10". Coincidence? I doubt it. It's not just exercising, it's the physical act of lifting weights vs. gravity. Sound stupid? I think so - but you can't deny most of them are shorter than your avg. person.

On the flipside, while I never wanted to believe my parents were right, basketball players tend to be taller. The constant "exercising" of the leg muscles help it to grow faster/more than your avg person. Even true for the female players.

You cannot attribute height entirely to genetics. I'm sure you know someone who is taller than 6', but had parents/grandparents who were shorter than 5'10". How you treat your body helps to mold your physical stature.

At the powerlifting competition's I go to there usually over 6 feet and 275lbs in the heavy weight division. 5'10" is probably the optimal height to be to be a weightlifter though cause of the shorter limbs and all. There was a guy that was 6'6" and 400 lbs and he was just all muscles.

 

[chin311]

i think he's right, i didnt do much exercise (besides sports) and im 6'0

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: Mrburns2007

Originally posted by: rh71
You would think that, Mrburns, and I wouldn't believe that it affects it either because it hasn't been proven. But watch weight lifting competitions and you'll see that they're (almost all) < 5'10". Coincidence? I doubt it. It's not just exercising, it's the physical act of lifting weights vs. gravity. Sound stupid? I think so - but you can't deny most of them are shorter than your avg. person.

On the flipside, while I never wanted to believe my parents were right, basketball players tend to be taller. The constant "exercising" of the leg muscles help it to grow faster/more than your avg person. Even true for the female players.

You cannot attribute height entirely to genetics. I'm sure you know someone who is taller than 6', but had parents/grandparents who were shorter than 5'10". How you treat your body helps to mold your physical stature.

At the powerlifting competition's I go to there usually over 6 feet and 275lbs in the heavy weight division. 5'10" is probably the optimal height to be to be a weightlifter though cause of the shorter limbs and all. There was a guy that was 6'6" and 400 lbs and he was just all muscles.

Yep. I think the reason you see people 5'10" that are power lifters is because... they are shorter with the shorter arms and legs.

But kids who do gymnastics are usually short as hell

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: rh71
You would think that, Mrburns, and I wouldn't believe that it affects it either because it hasn't been proven. But watch weight lifting competitions and you'll see that they're (almost all) < 5'10". Coincidence? I doubt it. It's not just exercising, it's the physical act of lifting weights vs. gravity. Sound stupid? I think so - but you can't deny most of them are shorter than your avg. person.

On the flipside, while I never wanted to believe my parents were right, basketball players tend to be taller. The constant "exercising" of the leg muscles help it to grow faster/more than your avg person. Even true for the female players.

You cannot attribute height entirely to genetics. I'm sure you know someone who is taller than 6', but had parents/grandparents who were shorter than 5'10". How you treat your body helps to mold your physical stature.

Yep. I think the reason you see people 5'10" that are power lifters is because... they are shorter with the shorter arms and legs.

But kids who do gymnastics are usually short as hell

This is not because it stunts growth.

This is because when you look at the *very best* you will generally see a pattern. They would have *better* genetics to do whatever sport they are. You ever see a small sumo wrestler? Short high jumper? Cyclist with short lets compete at the very top level?

It helps being short because you tend to have smaller arms and legs in Weightlifting. This helps with the lifts because the lifts are made a bit easier with short arms and legs. When you stand up with the bar at your hands. If your short you have the bar be higher up on your body when you stand. If your tall you will have long arms the bar is ALREADY lower down then the short guy. A short guy has smaller arms and legs so has smaller levels to deal with. Its hard having long arms and legs and to try and compete against people with small arms and legs.

Gymnast's are small because its easier to be small and strong then big and strong. The bigger you are the less efficient you are. To be a Gymnast its just prefered to be small to be at the very top level. Its easier to spin and to rotate when you are small. If your tall its much harder and you have to work that much harder already. So of course when you see Pro Gymnasts you see lots of small guys. They are at very best. At lower levels you will more variety. Again being short will usually give you short arms and legs. This means its easier to do the holds and the position.

No scientific study that backs up weightlifting properly when young stunts growth.

I can almost say without a doubt a weightlifter will work about 70% on legs and probably more then a Basketball player. Sure they run about but they will focus more on technique, drills, team play etc. The weightlifter will work on technique. Weightlifting is mainly about legs and power.

 

[Ldir]

Originally posted by: iskim86
words are floating around in my house that anaerobic exercise during teen years will restrain/slow/limit vertical growth. is this true? I'm 16 and I'm currently benchpressing and working with dumbells/free weights every other day. will this limit my vertical growth? is my growth going to stop at 5'8"? and one more thing, does eating a lot more than you need help growth or does it just build fat? thanks

Height is governed by genetics and nutrition. Excercise has no significant effect.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: rh71
You would think that, Mrburns, and I wouldn't believe that it affects it either because it hasn't been proven. But watch weight lifting competitions and you'll see that they're (almost all) < 5'10". Coincidence? I doubt it. It's not just exercising, it's the physical act of lifting weights vs. gravity. Sound stupid? I think so - but you can't deny most of them are shorter than your avg. person.

On the flipside, while I never wanted to believe my parents were right, basketball players tend to be taller. The constant "exercising" of the leg muscles help it to grow faster/more than your avg person. Even true for the female players.

You cannot attribute height entirely to genetics. I'm sure you know someone who is taller than 6', but had parents/grandparents who were shorter than 5'10". How you treat your body helps to mold your physical stature.

Yep. I think the reason you see people 5'10" that are power lifters is because... they are shorter with the shorter arms and legs.

But kids who do gymnastics are usually short as hell

This is not because it stunts growth.

This is because when you look at the *very best* you will generally see a pattern. They would have *better* genetics to do whatever sport they are. You ever see a small sumo wrestler? Short high jumper? Cyclist with short lets compete at the very top level?

It helps being short because you tend to have smaller arms and legs in Weightlifting. This helps with the lifts because the lifts are made a bit easier with short arms and legs...

Gymnast's are small because its easier to be small and strong then big and strong. The bigger you are the less efficient you are. To be a Gymnast its just prefered to be small to be at the very top level.

Hmm... nobody is contending that being shorter or having shorter limbs helps or hinders gymnasts or lifters. The argument is what causes it in the first place? Is it the act of training for it in the first place? You seem to be inferring that only those who are shorter (limb or height) should go into these sports... or somehow *train* to be shorter...

 

[Rogue]

You see more body builders at less than 5'10" because they most likely have a mesomorphic body structure which is better suited to building muscle and looking good doing it. I have one brother that is 6' and no matter how much lifting he does, he will probably never really look real muscular. However, my other brother who is closer to 5'6" or so, he can lift weights and in a matter of weeks he swells up and looks very muscular. There are three general body types:

Mesomorph: shorter bone structure, taught muscle build, good for weight lifting and body building

Endomorph: average bone structure, slightly elongated muscular make-up, better all around athletes (most quarterbacks and sprinters are this type)

Ectomorph: elongated bone structure, elongated muscles, mainly basket ball players, long distance runners, etc.

 

[SP33Demon]

I'm pretty much a mesomorph (5-7) and have to agree that shorter arms/legs do make a difference. I dont have to lift, percentage wise, the bar as high as some of my taller buddies. This makes for a huge advantage in competition and for building muscle.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: rh71 You would think that, Mrburns, and I wouldn't believe that it affects it either because it hasn't been proven. But watch weight lifting competitions and you'll see that they're (almost all) < 5'10". Coincidence? I doubt it. It's not just exercising, it's the physical act of lifting weights vs. gravity. Sound stupid? I think so - but you can't deny most of them are shorter than your avg. person. On the flipside, while I never wanted to believe my parents were right, basketball players tend to be taller. The constant "exercising" of the leg muscles help it to grow faster/more than your avg person. Even true for the female players. You cannot attribute height entirely to genetics. I'm sure you know someone who is taller than 6', but had parents/grandparents who were shorter than 5'10". How you treat your body helps to mold your physical stature.

Yep. I think the reason you see people 5'10" that are power lifters is because... they are shorter with the shorter arms and legs. But kids who do gymnastics are usually short as hell

This is not because it stunts growth. This is because when you look at the *very best* you will generally see a pattern. They would have *better* genetics to do whatever sport they are. You ever see a small sumo wrestler? Short high jumper? Cyclist with short lets compete at the very top level? It helps being short because you tend to have smaller arms and legs in Weightlifting. This helps with the lifts because the lifts are made a bit easier with short arms and legs... Gymnast's are small because its easier to be small and strong then big and strong. The bigger you are the less efficient you are. To be a Gymnast its just prefered to be small to be at the very top level.

Hmm... nobody is contending that being shorter or having shorter limbs helps or hinders gymnasts or lifters. The argument is what causes it in the first place? Is it the act of training for it in the first place? You seem to be inferring that only those who are shorter (limb or height) should go into these sports... or somehow *train* to be shorter...

Nothing causes it, he's just trying to say that only those with a preferred body type get into a certain level of sports (i.e. short people into bodybuilding), because they generally do better. Kind of like how species change to adapt.

 

[PunDogg]

umm i would say that working out and building a decent amout of muslce when young would limit your height, cuz your body takes the energy that it would use to make you taller and puts it to building muslce and such, and it hink just straight more eating would not help you overcome this, cuz i think you would need a large amount of vits, minerals, things your body really really needs, and also alot of protein and many things on the cellular level.
Also by just eating more, and execrising the same you could inturn make more fat, with would slow your vertical growth also, so either way your going to be shorter hehe.

Dogg

 

[PatboyX]

i think would only be true if the excersize isnt balanced.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: rh71 You would think that, Mrburns, and I wouldn't believe that it affects it either because it hasn't been proven. But watch weight lifting competitions and you'll see that they're (almost all) < 5'10". Coincidence? I doubt it. It's not just exercising, it's the physical act of lifting weights vs. gravity. Sound stupid? I think so - but you can't deny most of them are shorter than your avg. person. On the flipside, while I never wanted to believe my parents were right, basketball players tend to be taller. The constant "exercising" of the leg muscles help it to grow faster/more than your avg person. Even true for the female players. You cannot attribute height entirely to genetics. I'm sure you know someone who is taller than 6', but had parents/grandparents who were shorter than 5'10". How you treat your body helps to mold your physical stature.

Yep. I think the reason you see people 5'10" that are power lifters is because... they are shorter with the shorter arms and legs. But kids who do gymnastics are usually short as hell

This is not because it stunts growth. This is because when you look at the *very best* you will generally see a pattern. They would have *better* genetics to do whatever sport they are. You ever see a small sumo wrestler? Short high jumper? Cyclist with short lets compete at the very top level? It helps being short because you tend to have smaller arms and legs in Weightlifting. This helps with the lifts because the lifts are made a bit easier with short arms and legs... Gymnast's are small because its easier to be small and strong then big and strong. The bigger you are the less efficient you are. To be a Gymnast its just prefered to be small to be at the very top level.

Hmm... nobody is contending that being shorter or having shorter limbs helps or hinders gymnasts or lifters. The argument is what causes it in the first place? Is it the act of training for it in the first place? You seem to be inferring that only those who are shorter (limb or height) should go into these sports... or somehow *train* to be shorter...

Nothing causes it, he's just trying to say that only those with a preferred body type get into a certain level of sports (i.e. short people into bodybuilding), because they generally do better. Kind of like how species change to adapt.

Yeah thats what I am saying.

Like you the world has never had a long jumper or high jumper that was short to be WORLD CLASS. I've seen some VERY GOOD jumpers but not world class. At that level you will need an advantage and not just training to be the best.

No study has shown it to cause a decrease in hight.

Nothing causes a lifter or gymnast to have short arms or legs. Its more genetic. You you are tall 6" + you won't be a world class gymnast. You can get up to a high level with training for thousands of hours but never be in the top 10 or 100 in the world.

I'm not trying to infer that shorter people do Gymnastics and be lifters but they are sure going to be better at it then if they to do high jump. They can do what they want but if they want to seriously compete at it High jump for a short person isn't best choice when up against taller people. Not everyone competes High jump is fun until you land with the against your back :Q

 

[rpberry123]

I only heard smoking stunts your growth.......:>

 

[Mrburns2007]

Originally posted by: PunDogg
umm i would say that working out and building a decent amout of muslce when young would limit your height, cuz your body takes the energy that it would use to make you taller and puts it to building muslce and such, and it hink just straight more eating would not help you overcome this, cuz i think you would need a large amount of vits, minerals, things your body really really needs, and also alot of protein and many things on the cellular level.
Also by just eating more, and execrising the same you could inturn make more fat, with would slow your vertical growth also, so either way your going to be shorter hehe.

Dogg

wow did you just make that up ?

 

[iskim86]

some of you guys weren't paying attention in my post, I said ANaerobic... thanks to most of you for the valuable information on weight lifting and height... thanx to some of you who tried to provide info but failed to follow directions...

but i really want to go grow even an inch, please, at least one inch more before my growth stops... I really wanna be the tallest in the room. my mom and dad aren't really considered short... my dad is tall for HIS generation, he's taller than me right now. how pathetic is that, me being shorter than dad?!?