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

Just a few weeks in the past, I shared a brief video of me deadlifting in my house gymnasium with my 3-year-old toddler subsequent to me, copying me along 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 father or mother messaged me: “Is that really secure? I’ve at all times heard that weight coaching can stunt a toddler’s progress.”

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

As a result of as mother and father, we would like our children to be lively and wholesome—however we additionally need them to be secure.

So let’s speak about that concern. The place it comes from, what the science really says, and what to look out for relating to resistance coaching for youngsters.

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

If you happen to 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 youngsters’s bones, the place bone progress occurs. So naturally, the concept of loading weight onto a rising skeleton raised issues.

Then there’s the picture of many Olympic weightlifters: brief, highly effective athletes who raise large masses. It’s straightforward to imagine the game made them that approach—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 ft 6 inches tall (197 cm).

The unique concern comes from outdated assumptions and a misunderstanding of what really causes progress points.

What the Science Truly Says About Power Coaching and Development

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

In truth, when carried out correctly, resistance coaching has no unfavourable impact on bone growth. Quite the opposite, it could really improve bone density, coordination, and assist stop 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 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 packages, when correctly supervised, are secure and useful.

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

• A research within the Journal of Power and Conditioning Analysis discovered that damage charges in youth weight coaching are considerably decrease than in lots of widespread 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 among the most secure bodily actions your baby can do—when carried out proper.

When Weight Coaching Can Be a Concern for Children

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

Like something, it will depend on the way it’s carried out.

Weight coaching turns into an issue when:

• Children raise weights unsupervised

• Nobody checks their type or method

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

• Gear isn’t suited to their measurement

• 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 prepare.

How you can Make Power Coaching Secure for Children

Right here’s the way to hold it secure, good, and useful:

✅ Supervision by somebody educated in energy coaching strategies and progressions
✅ Give attention to 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 children

When these issues are in place, lifting weights turns into not simply secure—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 children to be sturdy, lively, and assured. However we additionally need to shield them.

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

As a result of when it’s carried out 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