Many parents fear "gym makes children short": Doctor reveals the truth

(Dan Tri) - According to doctors, many children in primary and secondary school are now interested in going to the gym due to the influence of social networks, but many parents are concerned that this could cause their children to become short.

Commenting on the above viewpoint, Dr. Ngo Hong Phuc, Deputy Head of the Burn and Orthopedic Department, Children's Hospital 2 (HCMC), said that if children exercise properly, have professional instructors and choose exercises appropriate for their age, then going to the gym (bodybuilding) will not affect their height.

Proper physical exercise also helps increase bone density, making bones stronger.

However, if you practice with the wrong technique, use weights that are too heavy or not suitable for your age, the risk of injury to the growth cartilage - which determines bone length - is entirely possible and only then will it really affect your child's height.

According to doctors, children aged 7-8 can start with simple gym exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping rope. For exercises with weights or machines, they should wait until they are 12 years old or older and must be supervised by a professional trainer.

"Reasonable exercise also helps improve endurance, increase muscle strength, build healthy exercise habits and support immune enhancement. If muscles develop naturally through healthy exercise, there is no problem.

But if you force your muscles to grow too quickly by exercising too hard or using supporting substances (such as hormones or functional foods), it can lead to endocrine disorders, liver and kidney damage, and long-term effects on health," Dr. Phuc analyzed.

According to doctors, many parents are concerned that early gym training can cause children to be short (Illustration: MA).

Doctors confirm that the idea that gym training makes children shorter or affects the development of the skeleton is incorrect. The important thing is to practice with the right technique, at the right age and have appropriate monitoring so that children can develop comprehensively in both health and height.

When exercising incorrectly, children may face risks such as: muscle and joint damage, ligament sprains; damage to the spine or growth cartilage; exhaustion, and immune deficiency if over-exercising.

In addition, children should not exercise if they have congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease, musculoskeletal disorders (such as congenital osteoporosis), or are undergoing injury treatment.

"Parents should choose a gym that has a separate program for children and professional trainers. Do not let children use muscle-building supplements, especially products containing hormones, because they can easily cause endocrine disorders and damage the liver and kidneys.

Parents need to accompany their children, orienting their training goals for health, increasing endurance and motor skills instead of just aiming for appearance. If children show signs of anxiety, low self-esteem about their body or extreme control over eating, parents should seek psychological help early," the doctor advised.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/nhieu-phu-huynh-so-tap-gym-lam-con-bi-lun-bac-si-tiet-lo-su-that-20250830075833589.htm