Is it true that lifting weights makes children short? Here's the explanation from the doctor

JAKARTA - Children's height is often the main concern of parents, especially during growth. Many factors affect height, ranging from genetics, nutrient intake, sleep quality, to physical activity.

However, there is still concern that certain types of sports such as weight training can hinder children's growth.

Sports medicine specialist dr. Andhika Raspati, Sp.KO, emphasized that the assumption was not appropriate. He said that weightlifting did not make children grow shorter if it was done in the right way and portion.

According to him, this concern arises because many people associate the posture of weightlifters, which tends to be shorter, with the effects of weight training.

"My observation is that many people feel and have a stigma that weight training will make children short, because they see weightlifting or iron athletes who are short-short in their bodies, so they immediately assume. In fact, it's not," said Andhika's doctor, in a health discussion in Jakarta.

He explained that in the weightlifting branch, athletes with shorter bodies were judged to be more efficient. The distance from the floor to the upper position is shorter, so it is more technically advantageous. For this reason, coaches tend to choose athletes with certain postures, not because weight training makes height stunted.

The doctor who graduated from the University of Indonesia's sports medicine specialist added that weight training designed according to age can actually provide benefits for children's bone strength and density, thus supporting optimal growth.

He emphasized that height is still influenced by many factors, especially genetics and overall lifestyle.

"With the right portion, it actually provides muscle strengthening exercises to strengthen the bones for children even from the age of 8-9 years old is good. But the dose that must be regulated earlier cannot be the same as us who are adults," he said.

In addition to supporting bone growth, weight training also helps increase muscle mass and reduce the risk of injury, especially for children who are active in sports.

"That's why weight training can also be used to optimize muscle mass and help prevent injuries. People with strong muscles are not prone to injuries, with muscle training, strengthening, and stability it will reduce the risk," he added.