Does Wu Shu/Shaolin Kung Fu Stunt Your Growth?

[-ReVenge-]

I'm a 13 year old boy whose been doing kung fu for half a year. Before I started, I had very low flexibility, but now I can do the splits, due to the si fu(coach/master) pushing me. My father is worried that this will stunt my growth. I, myself am a little worried too, because all the si fu there are on the short side. In addition, many gymnastics people are short as well, and many of the stunts in gymnastics are very similar to wu shu. Will doing kung fu stunt my growth? Please reply.

[nhldork87]

I do Tang Soo Do and I have good flexibilty now too, but I don't think it stunts your growth. I'm just guessing though.

[Tungsten]

Not going to lie, I think being flexible means being more healthy compared to being stiff as a board. It's all part of being in good shape, like the guy who can touch his toes is considered more in shape then the guy who can't. To be honest, it all really depends on how your si fu pushes you.

[attonbitus]

I did Southern Shaolin 5 animal style for 4 years, it's not going to stunt your growth. Though a lot of impact training can wear down your joints if you continuously do it wrong. Most Wu Shu people i know end up being long and lean.

[Chibi Chan-o]

I've never heard of a sport or other things like that to stunt your growth. Most of the time, you tend to be a bit taller. But I wouldn't see why you would be worried about being short. In fact, being flexible and in shape is better than being tall and really stiff. The only thing you should be worried about is the wear on your joints.

[Empy]

Well, I have heard if you develop too much muscle mass too young then it could affect your growth. I think that's the reason for Gymnasts' height however I'm not sure.

[Consonant***]

Lifting weights is really all that stunts growth. So as long as you can't lift 350 at 11 years old, you're fine.

[Gran Gran]

How tall you get is determined by the genes. If your parents are tall, you will likely be as well, if they are short, kiss that dream of breaking the 6' barrier good-bye!

Gymnasts are usually that short because if they are tall all the tumbling gets to be hard. (Or the top talents are fed some stunning hormones...besides, they can't beat up on Bela Caroli when they are so tiny!)

[Consonant***]

grangran said:

How tall you get is determined by the genes. If your parents are tall, you will likely be as well, if they are short, kiss that dream of breaking the 6' barrier good-bye!

Gymnasts are usually that short because if they are tall all the tumbling gets to be hard. (Or the top talents are fed some stunning hormones...besides, they can't beat up on Bela Caroli when they are so tiny!)

That determines the max, yeah, but not the minimum. Lifting weights fuses your joints together, stopping you from growing as much. Of course, when you're Gary f***ing Coleman, none of that really matters.

[Gran Gran]

Talking extremes...

one has to train like Little Herkules to get there. I am not sure, I think he did some growing despise his weight lifing regiment he was forced to do...