stunted growth in teens weight lifting

traudt · Newbie Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 20

hello! I am a male teenager and most of my friends have already started lifting weights. I would also like to do so, but my parents are against it, saying that I am not fully developed yet, and that weight lifting will influence my growth by stunting it. Is there any truth in their statements?

lucita · Silver Member Joined: 21 Oct 2000 Posts: 258

Hi there! At first it was thought weight lifting was both unsafe and ineffective for growing teens. That was in the 80es. Some years later, it was discovered that weight lifting was useful if done correctly. Most of the injuries reported happened due to bad technique, lifting excessive weight, and loss of control of the weight.
You didn’t say how old you are because this makes the difference. It is considered that girls, and pre-pubertal boys grow stronger without building muscles. Older boys in puberty will see the added benefit of increasing muscle size due to the presence of testosterone. Maybe you could go to a gym and talk to a professional there, or even doctors who can explain to you when it would be best fro you to start lifting weights.

stunted growth in teens weight lifting

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