Would a low-gravity environment effect the height of humans?

Question

Hi everyone,

I've got another weird question for you. I've been working on a sci-fi environment and I recently realized that, due to a miscalculation on my part, the gravity was going to end up being about 1/3 that of Earth's. I'm wondering if growing up under such low gravity is expected to significantly effect human height and bone structure; I know that it effects bone density, blood volume, etc.. But since no one has ever grown up in space I don't know if the skeleton would end up growing far taller with far less force to push against.

So what are your thoughts, biologists? Would the amount of force the skeleton is subjected to cause it to grow taller than we see here on Earth, or would the body's growth clock be likely to stop somewhere near Earth height?

Thanks so much!

Erica - A Yahoo spurned me · Accepted Answer

Astronauts come back to Earth taller because the discs in their spines that separate the vertebra are able to expand without the effects of gravity.

Anonym · Answer

Well, many people believe that the low gravity on the moon would let the bones grow under less pressure form gravity, then letting them grow larger, therefore letting you grow taller.  It's all theoretical, but this seems very likely.

Frank W · Answer

I don't know (off hand) of any feedback mechanisms that sense height based on the strength of gravitational attraction.  height might be entirely controlled by homeostatic mechanisms independent of negative environmental influences.

Loser In Life · Answer

definitely. in zero gravity the spine is able to stretch more because gravity is not pulling it down.

Would a low-gravity environment effect the height of humans?

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