Question:
Hello minister,
When do shoulders broaden? I am 19 and a half years old. I get around 4.7 on the calculator. My shoulders width isn’t as broad as that of other males in my family, so I was wondering if my shoulders can still grow. I think my shoulders have widened over the last six months, but not significantly. Can they still grow, and if so, until what age can I expect them to continue growing?
Answer:
The first problem is that we tend to judge sizes subjectively. Someone with narrow hips appears to have broader shoulders than someone with wider hips. Measurement is the only way to avoid the problem of perception.
The second problem is that we usually include the muscles when we are measuring; someone who lifts weights has bigger deltoid muscles, which makes his shoulders look broader.
The bones in your shoulder can continue to grow even after you’ve reached stage 5 for a short time. The building of your muscles continues as long as you are working out, so it doesn’t have an age limit or a cut-off stage.
Question:
Thanks for the reply.
My brother and I are both skinny and don’t go to the gym, but his shoulders are much broader than mine. Do you think I’m a late bloomer or just a bit later than average? How much can I expect my shoulders to grow, considering my Tanner stage?
Answer:
A late bloomer is someone who doesn’t show signs of development until after the age of 14. You would not be considered a late bloomer.
You and your brother have the same parents but don’t have the same combination of genes inherited from them. The difference in your body shape could be what you inherited.
At stage 4.7, you are close to being done growing in height, but the growth in shoulder width can continue for a short while longer after you reach stage 5. I can’t predict how much you will grow since your genes determine that.
Question:
So, can I expect them to grow for 1 more year before they reach their adult size?
Answer:
Yes, that would be roughly correct.