Muscles attach to bone, and basically make the body move by pulling on these bones. The growth spurt is primarily a result of the body’s bones growing. Quite often, the muscles are left behind in this process, and have to try and play “catch-up” to the bones. Consequently, the muscles have to be stretched over these longer bones. This can have an impact on the strength and flexibility of the muscle. This is why you may notice that your child who was previously performing at a higher sporting level temporarily lacks the coordination, skill level, and agility that they had prior to their growth spurt. In addition, the muscles can also create a traction effect where they attach to the bone. This can result in anything from mild niggles to debilitating pain.

If you feel that your child may be experiencing issues as a result of a growth spurt, a physiotherapist may be able to help you.