You might be surprised to learn that one of the most decorated athletes in gymnastics history, Simone Biles, is just 4 feet 8 inches tall. That stat brings up one of the most popular questions about gymnastics: Does it make you short? It’s certainly a topic that sparks concern among parents, as well as to a young aspiring gymnast. With such a hoard of myths around it, we will attempt to reveal the truth regarding height and gymnastics using expert opinions and science.
In this article, we will attempt to answer the question, Does gymnastics affect children’s growth? We will simplify the complexities to a more digestible format, answer the precise question—why are gymnasts short?—and clarify myths and truths. Let’s get right to it then.
Table of Contents
1. Facts and Myths About Gymnastics and Growth
When asking, Does gymnastics make you short? Most people believe the sport stunts growth in some way, shape, or form. This is a common misconception. This myth does not hold up against scientific research. As reported in multiple studies, including peer-reviewed journals in child development, there is no concrete proof that gymnastics physically stunts growth.
Most people think that being short is a disadvantage in gymnastics; research indicates that is untrue among most gymnasts. What actually occurs is that being short may be beneficial as a precondition for the sport, and people with that trait are more likely to practice gymnastics.
Understanding Growth Plate
The term “growth plates” holds the key to understanding growth in children. Growth plates are a developing tissue of the body that is located at the ends of long bones. They are damaging and traumatizing bones during childhood and adolescence. Damage or trauma to them could potentially be a factor of short height.
Definition: Growth plates are fragile cartilage located at the ends of long bones that occur in children and teenagers. Because they are soft, they are more vunerable to injury.
Healthy children, who regularly participate in gymnastic exercises, are not at risk of injury to growth plates. However, serious injuries to growth plates are rare and not the result of proper gymnastics training, but rather result from excessive training or poor technique.
2. Why Are Gymnasts So Short in Height?
This question arises once people observe a trend that many elite gymnasts are quite short. However, here is the twist — within a gymnast’s training, the genetic factors such as family history and the body type that is suited to the sport, play a bigger role.
Some research suggests that gymnasts are relatively shorter in height even before engaging in intense training. Coaches may even subconsciously recruit a specific type of athlete that possess a balanced and gymnasts body. This is because being short is an advantage in this sport since it is easier to control and perform during routines.
So the next time you are placing a gymnast’s performance, and the thought comes to you, “Why are gymnasts so short?” You may want to re-evaluate and consider that the reason is more to do with genetics rather the sport bending and shrinking them.
Benefits of Short Stature for Gymnasts
Shorter arms and legs are easier to perform quicker and more complex movements, thus aiding in agility.
Improved posture
Being shorter in height is a formidable advantage during the execution of acrobatic and gymnastic movements, particularly during complex flips, spins and even sky leaps because it reduces the difficulty in cat-like agility.
3. Does Gymnastics Stunt Your Growth in Any Way?
The question of whether gymnastics stunts growth is common, but it is important to highlight that scientific studies disproves it. The Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine published findings that young female gymnasts, when compared to similarly aged and genetically matched peers, exhibited normal growth patterns. Temporary slowdowns may occur during muscle l building phases, but most children will outgrow these.
It is important to note that high level competition gymnastics with its specific physical requirements and nutrition may influence growth patterns. But it is important to recognize the difference between stunted growth and suspended growth.
Stunted Growth vs. Suspended Growth
- Stunted Growth: Reduced adult height, often the result of long-term malnutrition or chronic illness.
- Suspended Growth: Height increase stagnation due to a particular period of intense strain, such as extreme physical demand, long-term sleep deprivation, or insufficient nourishment, with normal resumption of growth after the initial period of stasis.
Elite athletes often encounter suspended growth in high competition years, especially when training is accompanied by psychological strain or insufficient caloric intake. But once again, the emphasis is on how the body decides to allocate its resources, not the sport in question.
4. What Role Do Nutrition and Sleep Play?
Though gymnastics does not make you short, specific training habits could potentially stifle growth. Emotional stress, poor nutrition, and lack of sleep can suppress hormones essential to proper development. This is why both coaches and parents need to pay attention to a young athlete’s general health, not only their athletic development.
Experts suggest a balanced diet containing high amounts of calcium, vitamin D, and protein for the development of strong bones. Rest as well as adequate sleep of 8 to 10 hours daily is important for the synthesis of growth hormones in children and teenagers.
Key Nutrients for Gymnasts
- Calcium – vital for strong bones; found in dairy, leafy greens, fortified cereal
- Protein – supports muscle repair and growth
- Vitamin D – helps the body absorb calcium; sunlight and fortified foods are good sources
If you’re not catering to those needs, missing out on proper growth isn’t the sport’s fault — it’s the lifestyle around it.
5. So, Why Does the Myth Still Exist?
Part of the reason people believe gymnastics makes you short is because of the visual pattern they see: most top gymnasts are short. But that’s correlation, not causation. The myth sticks around primarily due to misunderstanding of biology, and because some children involved in high-level sports go through growth delays.
Plus, young gymnasts often begin training before hitting their major growth spurts. If someone is already petite, their size is likely to remain more consistent even after others start catching up — making it seem like the sport caused it.
Also, the early specialization — focusing intensely on one sport at a young age — has been criticized in some studies. While overtraining in any sport carries risks, the key here is balance. Healthy practices equal healthy kids.
Encouraging A Healthy Growth in Young Gymnasts
As a parent or an aspiring athlete, your attention should be directed towards health instead of just growth. Here is a practical guide on how to support healthy growth while engaging in gymnastics:
Promoting Healthy Growth
- A balanced diet consisting of all key nutrients is a must
- Sleep should be between 8-10 hours of QUALITY rest
- Prioritize muscle recovery by taking rest days and sticking to them
- Health should be prioritized in any coaching context taken, in line with the growth and development of the student
- Work with coaches who value long-term health
Also, consider reading this helpful article on how sleep affects children’s growth to get deeper insights.
What Gymnastics and Growth Experts Have to Say
In broad consensus, pediatricians and sports scientists agree that gymnastics by itself is not a cause of short stature. Dr. Emily Blake, a pediatric sports medicine specialist, states, “Growth is complex, comprising many factors, including genetic elements, environment, and not purely what sport a child decides to play.”
As such, instead of worrying about possible height restrictions, look forward to the many advantages that gymnastics brings: unmatched discipline, muscle strength, mental fortitude, unwavering confidence.
When to Talk to a Doctor
If you have any worries about a child’s development, be it in gymnastics or any other activity, it’s best to reach out to a pediatrician. Physicians are equipped to track growth patterns and look for hormonal or nutritional imbalances. In many cases, addressing concerns early can make a big difference.
So, Does Gymnastics Make You Short?
To answer the earlier question, “Does gymnastics make you short?” the response is a definitive no. Gymnastics does not limit growth. Although the sport does have many shorter athletes, it is primarily due to natural selection and smaller proportions being advantageous for the sport.
Growth is primarily driven by genetics and access to nutrition, along with environmental factors and wellbeing, including physical health. In the right hands, gymnastics is a sport that can be incredibly positive and protective for children and teens.
Important Points to Remember
- Gymnastics may actually attract shorter individuals rather than stunting growth.
- Proper nutrition, adequate rest, along with appropriate support are critical to healthy development.
- While growth delays may occur, they typically resolve with time.
- Growth plate injuries are rarely an issue and occur only with unsafe training.
Final Thoughts
Gymnastics is an extraordinarily beautiful sport for the discipline, resilience, and grace it teaches. It is natural for parents to worry about height and growth – gymnastic training doesn’t affect height and there is no evidence to support the belief. So long as gymnasts practice safely, eat well, and rest appropriately, their growth is healthy.
So the next time someone asks if gymnastics makes you short, you’ll know exactly what to say and you’ll have science to support your answer.
I’m a wellness coach and nutrition advisor with a passion for helping people feel their best. I write about fitness, mental health, and holistic living so you can live a healthier, balanced life.
