If you’ve ever watched Olympic gymnasts and wondered, “Why are they all so short?”, you’re not alone. It’s a question that leads many parents to worry: Could gymnastics be stunting my child’s growth?
The idea that gymnastics suppresses growth has been circulating for decades. But what does the science actually say? Are gymnasts short because of the sport, or are shorter kids just more likely to succeed in gymnastics?
Here’s what current research and medical experts reveal—and what you can do to support your child’s healthy growth while they enjoy the sport.
Where the Myth Comes From—and What Science Says
Why Gymnasts Seem Short
It’s true that elite gymnasts often appear shorter than their peers. But that doesn’t mean gymnastics is the cause. According to Bustle, it’s more about selection bias: shorter athletes have biomechanical advantages like better rotation and a lower center of gravity. These traits make certain body types naturally better suited for the sport.
Can Intense Training Delay Growth?
High-intensity training in young athletes can influence timing of growth and puberty—but not necessarily final height. A 2000 study in The Journal of Pediatrics found that elite gymnasts may experience delayed bone growth, especially in the legs and spine. However, this delay is typically temporary.
A follow-up study by Georgopoulos et al. in Hormones (2012) concluded that most gymnasts ultimately reach adult heights within their genetic potential, especially when proper nutrition is maintained.
Experts Agree: It’s Not the Sport—It’s the Energy Balance
Jornol de Pediatria and Stony Brook Medicine highlight a key factor in growth: energy availability. Children and teens require adequate calories to support both intense training and natural growth. When energy intake falls short—especially in female athletes—growth and puberty may be delayed, but not permanently impaired.
How to Keep Gymnastics Safe for Growing Kids
Prioritize Nutrition and Rest
Training 10+ hours a week burns calories quickly. If those calories aren’t replaced with nutrient-dense meals, the body may enter a low-energy state, which can suppress hormones like IGF-1 and growth hormone. Encouraging balanced meals, hydration, and recovery time is critical.
Sleep is also essential. Most growth hormone is released during deep sleep, so late nights and poor rest can affect development. A consistent bedtime routine helps regulate both growth and recovery.
Know the Warning Signs
According to Skylark Sports, parents should look for red flags such as:
-
No weight gain over several months
-
Delayed puberty (e.g., no breast development by 13 or testicular growth by 14)
-
Recurring injuries or fatigue
If these appear, consult a pediatrician. Tools like growth charts and bone age X-rays can help determine if there’s a medical cause behind slowed growth.
Gymnastics and Growth: What Parents Should Know
Most Kids Grow Just Fine
The average recreational gymnast trains 4–8 hours per week—a level unlikely to impact growth in any meaningful way. Even elite gymnasts, when supported with sufficient rest and nutrition, typically reach their predicted adult height. Timing may shift, but total growth is usually unaffected.
