Where did this belief come from? The thought of weight training at a young age stunts growth, which likely started from the fact that hurting a growth plate in a not-yet-grown bone might result in stunted growth. It is right when you harm your body that is nowhere near fully developed under heavy pressure or add too much stress to it. And that is probably where this notion originated from. So, does weight training stunt a child’s growth? The good news is that by using the correct form and a suitable resistance load, weight training would not stunt growth, even during childhood. Plenty of research has pointed out the benefits of this exercise for kids, and the program is inspected and suitable for the child’s age and ability level [1]. Besides, a statement on the 2014 International Consensus about youth resistance training demonstrated many benefits of weight lifting for adults applied to strength training for kids. These include increasing bone density, enhancing muscular strength, reducing fracture risk, boosting balance and core control, supporting flexibility, and more [2]. Indeed, a child’s growth is stunted only when their growth plates get badly hurt or fractured. A review pointed out that playing football is 27 times more hurtful than lifting weights. Moreover, growth plate injury is greater with jumping sports as they produce forces more than 5-7 times your body mass [3]. In weight training (with supervision from a coach), everything is controlled. You can adjust the load depending on your child’s capacity. You even change exercises to suit their anatomy better. Meanwhile, traditional sports are damaging and might put their growth plates at a higher risk (even with supervision from a coach) because the impact is not easily scalable or controllable. However, that does not mean traditional sports are bad since they might hurt your child’s growth. The most important thing we want to emphasize here is that practicing weight training does not stunt growth. Moreover, it provides numerous benefits for kids and even supports their height. What benefits of weight training in children? That said, weight training helps a child’s body promote hormonal balance. Studies disclose that growth hormone levels intensify with resistance-based training, leading to height growth. This balanced hormonal environment positively affects progesterone levels in females and testosterone in males, lowering injury risk and enhancing overall well-being. While working out, the bones receive moderate pressure to increase calcification and dense bone formation, leading to overall bone strength and growth. But, if training without supervision results in danger. That’s why proper guidance and supervision during weight training are a must. What is a proper weight training regime? First and foremost, children need to start with a suitable warm-up for about 5 to 10 minutes before engaging in weight training. After the warm-up, they need to carry out their training, and then follow a cooldown of another 5 to 10 minutes. For any workout with weights, children need to begin without weights and concentrate on proper technique. To ensure the appropriate form, they should first do an exercise like curling the biceps. The same goes for other workouts, such as deadlifts, where it is necessary to show great form before using the weight. Indeed, children can use different resistance methods, including bands, tubes, machines, and medicine balls (for teens around 16) to prevent boredom as well as increase growth. It is recommended to perform weight training for at least 2 to 3 days per week. Also, do not forget to engage in sports and other activities that require jumping to support overall development and decrease the risk of injury. When your kid is about 7 or 8, they can start a gentle form of weight training, yet it asks for close supervision, and progress should be gradual. If they can accomplish these reps easily, a steady increase of 5% in weight can be considered. But in case they find it challenging to do even 10 reps, the weight may be too much for them. What should children eat to support their overall growth? Vitamins and minerals Calcium and iron are two vital minerals because: Calcium plays a role in building strong bones to prevent breaking and fractures. It is easy to find calcium-rich foods in milk, yogurt, cheese, and leafy green vegetables. Iron helps transfer oxygen to different body parts. Lean meat, chicken, salmon, tuna, eggs, leafy green vegetables, dried fruits, and fortified whole grains are excellent sources of iron. Protein Muscle proteins are often broken down when exercising, so we need to build these backups. Hence, this nutrient is necessary to build and repair muscles that kids need. Eggs are one of the healthiest sources of protein. Moreover, they are easy to process like hard-boiled, scrambled, etc. Chicken is known as the best protein to have. You can pair it with any veggies and even fruits to have a well-rounded meal after working out. Peanut butter contains not only protein but also healthy fats. But, make sure it does not have added sugar. Yogurt is another great source of protein. It is easy to dress it up with granola and fruit as a healthy post-workout snack. Protein bars are convenient as children can grab them and go. Moreover, they come in different flavors. Carbohydrates Carbs are vital as they provide energy for the body. Without carbs, children will be running on empty. Low-fat milk is better for muscle recovery than sports drinks. Sweet potatoes are healthy carbs and versatile in mixing with veggies and lean meat. Dark, leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and cabbage offer carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Bananas, berries, and pineapple are the best fruits to eat after working out. Pasta helps replenish necessary glycogen for muscles if children have lots during practice. Drink up Drinking plenty of fluids while practicing is necessary to prevent dehydration. Kids need to drink water before working out and every 15 to 20 minutes throughout, as well as afterward to recover fluid lost through sweat. Some sports drinks are available, yet plain water is the best to keep children hydrated. Avoid carbonated drinks or sugary beverages that can upset the stomach. Some general guidelines Before weight training for about 3 to 4 hours, kids need to get plenty of carbs and some protein yet be low in fat. Carbs should be bread, pasta, fruits, and vegetables. Also, avoid consuming sugary foods and drinks. If they eat less than 3 hours before starting, it is best to have a lighter meal or snack with fruit, bread, or crackers. After training, it is recommended to eat and hydrate within 30 minutes and again 2 hours later. This helps the body rebuild muscle and refill energy stores and fluids. To sum up, Weight training does not deserve the bad things when it comes to stunted growth and safety among children and teens. The truth is that it is just less dangerous than other physical activities and sports that parents are allowing their kids to engage in. And if it is done safely with supervision, this workout is beneficial for children. Related post: How To Grow Taller At 11 Years Old? Height Growth Supplements and Vitamins
