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

A couple of weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my dwelling gymnasium 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 mother or father messaged me: “Is that truly protected? I’ve all the time heard that weight coaching can stunt a baby’s development.”

And you recognize what? It’s a legitimate concern.

As a result of as mother and father, we would like our youngsters 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 with regards to resistance coaching for youngsters.

The place Did the “Lifting Stunts Progress” Delusion Come From?

For those who grew up listening to that lifting weights too early may “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 known as the development plates—areas of creating cartilage close to the ends of youngsters’s bones, the place bone development occurs. So naturally, the thought of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised considerations.

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

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

Enjoyable truth: The all-time world file 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The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes development points.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 Really Says About Energy Coaching and Progress

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

In reality, when performed correctly, resistance coaching has no detrimental impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it may really improve bone density, coordination, and assist forestall damage.

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

Right here’s what the analysis reveals:

• A assessment printed in Pediatrics concluded there may be 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 research within the Journal of Energy and Conditioning Analysis discovered that damage 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 damage charges per 1,000 hours of participation throughout completely different sports activities:

Seems, resistance training is among the most secure bodily actions your baby can do—when performed 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 relies on the way it’s performed.

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

• Gear isn’t suited to their dimension

• 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 practice.

The way to Make Energy Coaching Secure for Children

Right here’s find out how to preserve it protected, sensible, and useful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching methods and progressions
✅ Concentrate on method—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 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 sturdy, lively, and assured. However we additionally need to defend them.

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

As a result of when it’s performed 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