Weightlifting and Growth

[NewDude001]

Alright, first off, I realize this topic has been brought up before but not in this manner. I have a rather unique problem, I am 5' 6'' and 17 years old. Recently, I spoke with my doc while doing my physical about my growth, he said that because I only grew 1/5 of an inch that year that it was possible my growth was finished, however, he also mentioned the possibility that I had another growth spurt to come (he really didn't know much) I've been running track and Cross Country for the past couple of years and was wondering if that could have forced my growth plates to ossify with the stress put on the legs.... anyways, I am thinking about starting to weightlift but I also realize that if my plates aren't fused I could ruin my chance at the growth spurt because of the HGH released from lifting. Or maybe I'd growth from the HGH? Was wondering if anyone could give some advice or some medical research as to how the HGH affects not fully grown teens.

 

[Warboss Alex]

Weightlifting does NOT stunt growth, pure and simple. Only severe malnutrition does.

Your problem isn't unique, there's hundreds of teens who run, lift, play sports etc and still grow just fine.

If you're worried then don't lift til you're 21-22, when you're more or less sure you've finished growing, but it'd make no difference. If you're gonna get taller, you're gonna get taller, no matter what!

 

[NewDude001]

hey, man, no offense but you didn't really answer anything. It is a fact that weightlifting releases HGH, also it is a fact that HGH administered to an ungrown person ossifies the growth plates. That's about all I know, so I was wondering if you grow first after weightlifting, then stop, or you just stop without any growth from the HGH given off.

 

[Warboss Alex]

Originally posted by NewDude001
hey, man, no offense but you didn't really answer anything. It is a fact that weightlifting releases HGH, also it is a fact that HGH administered to an ungrown person ossifies the growth plates. That's about all I know, so I was wondering if you grow first after weightlifting, then stop, or you just stop without any growth from the HGH given off.

And I'm telling you, whatever you do, your body will do what's best for it. If your growth plates need to be ossified then the body will make THAT a priority.

However, I've never seen weight-lifting recommended to ungrown people so the associated HGH release helps them put on another spurt, so.. like I said, I doubt it makes any difference.

If you're asking whether weight-lifting will make you taller then, no, it won't, I can tell you that for certain.