Post Adolescent growth in Males

[pseudonym]

I've had a bit of a google around and I can't seem to find any scientific (or otherwise) data about post adolescent growth rates (or even probabilities) in males.

This wouldn't generally be an issue (I mean honestly how often does a normal person want that sort of data anyway ?) except I am convinced I am growing (in an upwards direction) and I'm almost half way to being 25 years old!!

My joints are sore (mild ache, not constant but present when I lay down and the like) my flexibility (what little I had) has disappeared in favour of all round tightness, when the DOMS don't get me general muscle ache sometimes does (again, not a constant thing). I am sleeping 9+ hrs a night (well ... mostly) and always wake up tired. I'm STARVING!! all the time ... I might be sick (except my training performance is generally increasing) but there's one dead set giveaway I rekon....

The lines on my door.

I've been feeling this way for a few months so about a month ago I had my ladyfriend draw a line at the top of my head on my bedroom door. Drew another one last week and it is a good 1.5cm above the first (24 Feb, so just over a month).

I feel much like I did when I was about 14 (the last time I remember really feeling my own growth). I'm not short by any stretch (excuse the pun ) so it's not like my body's making up for missed time - though I was quite sick for a few years from about 15-17 so maybe in a way it is?

My theory is that my exposure to Crossfit and it's significant metabolic demands have somehow triggered a hormonal response and this combined with what has been an improved approach to eating (more good food and less crap ... but certainly not 'clean') over the last year or so have set my body off on a growing frenzy.

Anyone have any experience in the area? anyone care to just speculate wildly?

It's a real non issue for me (save for the amount of money I am spending on food), I'm just intrigued as to why, all of a sudden my half way to (kind of) geriatric body has decided to reach for the sky again.

[Firehawk]

Did you take your shoes off before measuring last month?

Hello shorty, oops I mean pseudonym,

Here's my take on this. First of all, I flunked metrics when learning it so it is hard for my to visualize your growth in little old inch land where I live. But I believe your posture has improved (byproduct of being superfit) and good posture will bring better uprightness which will result in higher height measurements. And the soreness you have is simply the result of your demanding training which includes the Olympic lifts and other heavier compound barbell movements. Your body is crying about the demands you are placing on it. I experienced (and still do) my body crying out to me from the demands of all hard clean & jerk or snatch workout.

Now if anything else is still growing, you are sprouting some acne, your voice is getting deeper, and you are not on 'roids, then maybe there is some truth to your hypothesis.

Keep us posted.

[Lady C]

Acutally, I know several lads that grew a few inches post 20 yrs old. My son included. I just think it is normal. Some do, some don't. I don't know of any scientific data, though.

[maverick]

My father grew 4 inches after he graduated high school, I was done growing by then. I would bet its a genetic thing rather than something caused by external factors.

[Firehawk]

Originally Posted by pierini

I experienced (and still do) my body crying out to me from the demands of all hard clean & jerk or snatch workout.

Yeah but you're old...

Originally Posted by Firehawk

Yeah but you're old...

This is true.

My wife's brother (my age) was 5'3" when he graduated from high school and a couple years later peaked out at 6'3" for a serious example of late growth. I think he is shrinking now due to poor posture and lack of exercise. I was basically done growing height-wise by the time I was 17 years old. I'm 5'11" or 6'0" in the doctor's office if the nurse is trying to hit on me. I don't believe I have lost any height yet. My 81 year old Dad is down by 3 inches. When I visited with Tommy Kono in August, we talked about this and he shared with me that he is down 3 inches too. He is 77 years old.

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by pseudonym

I've had a bit of a google around and I can't seem to find any scientific (or otherwise) data about post adolescent growth rates (or even probabilities) in males.

This wouldn't generally be an issue (I mean honestly how often does a normal person want that sort of data anyway ?) except I am convinced I am growing (in an upwards direction) and I'm almost half way to being 25 years old!!

My joints are sore (mild ache, not constant but present when I lay down and the like) my flexibility (what little I had) has disappeared in favour of all round tightness, when the DOMS don't get me general muscle ache sometimes does (again, not a constant thing). I am sleeping 9+ hrs a night (well ... mostly) and always wake up tired. I'm STARVING!! all the time ... I might be sick (except my training performance is generally increasing) but there's one dead set giveaway I rekon....

The lines on my door.

I've been feeling this way for a few months so about a month ago I had my ladyfriend draw a line at the top of my head on my bedroom door. Drew another one last week and it is a good 1.5cm above the first (24 Feb, so just over a month).

I feel much like I did when I was about 14 (the last time I remember really feeling my own growth). I'm not short by any stretch (excuse the pun ) so it's not like my body's making up for missed time - though I was quite sick for a few years from about 15-17 so maybe in a way it is?

My theory is that my exposure to Crossfit and it's significant metabolic demands have somehow triggered a hormonal response and this combined with what has been an improved approach to eating (more good food and less crap ... but certainly not 'clean') over the last year or so have set my body off on a growing frenzy.

Anyone have any experience in the area? anyone care to just speculate wildly?

It's a real non issue for me (save for the amount of money I am spending on food), I'm just intrigued as to why, all of a sudden my half way to (kind of) geriatric body has decided to reach for the sky again.

Once the epiphyses fuse your growth plates are closed and that is final no more heigh tregardless of what you do.
At 25 if you are growing you need to go to doc and get a hormone profile done. Oestrogen and testosterone should have closed those plates by now.

[MAURER]

i dunno, i was done growing at like 14...i'm 5'6. if there was a way to get another couple inches, i woulda done so lol.

[pseudonym]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

Once the epiphyses fuse your growth plates are closed and that is final no more heigh tregardless of what you do.
At 25 if you are growing you need to go to doc and get a hormone profile done. Oestrogen and testosterone should have closed those plates by now.

All of the research I've done says exactly that mate ... which inclines me toward thinking there must be other factors contributing; though I am not ready to rule out the fact that these growth plates might not have closed as they should normally have (does this happen?)

I might think about one of those hormone profiles you're talking about ... Late onset gigantism perhaps?

Mr P. I like your take, improved posture = extra height and it's pretty true that most 'growing pains' could very likely be attributed to training hangovers... interesting you mention acne though; I've never had the clearest skin but it has certainly seen a resurgence in the last few months (comes and goes though). And no ... despite what my 160lbs of lean muscle mass might have you think I am not on roids .

It's interesting to see other people (Lady C et al) have experienced/seen growth in young blokes in their 20's ... it must be possible (which is comforting in a way).

Like I said to start I am really not bothered by being a half inch/inch (just for you Mr P. ) taller and nor am I unhappy with my height now (about 6'/6'1) ... I am just curious to find out what (if anything) might be happening to me.