Basketball requires a lot of jumping and stretching, which leads many people to believe that playing this sport will make someone taller. So, will you really become taller if you start playing basketball, especially at a young age?
No solid evidence points to the relationship between basketball and gaining height. Many players become active in this sport during their development stage, causing them to grow faster. However, the height of a basketball player heavily relies on genetics and not the act of playing the sport.
In this article, we’ll talk about all the developmental advantages a person can get from playing basketball. We’ll also go through some tips you can follow to add a few more inches to your height.
Basketball Makes You Tall: Myth or Fact?
Several studies were conducted to provide solid evidence that proves playing basketball makes players grow taller. However, none of the studies were conclusive, and most only pointed to morphological and physiological development.
People who play basketball, especially at a young age, can develop stronger muscles that allow them to run faster and jump higher. Aside from these, they can also improve their overall body coordination due to consistent training.
Playing basketball, on its own, won’t affect a player’s height, which is heavily dependent on genetics. However, people who actively play basketball may adopt a lifestyle that may significantly affect their growth and development. This is one of the reasons why people think playing basketball can make you taller.
How To Become Taller
Gaining a few more inches requires proper discipline, which is also necessary to become a good basketball player. A person may also need to change his lifestyle to give his body the right conditions to reach peak development.
Here are some tips that can help someone become taller:
- Get enough sleep to help your body grow and develop. When you sleep, your body releases HGH (Human Growth Hormone), which is responsible for your growth. Without it, you won’t reach your peak height, which may lead to several health complications.
- Eating a balanced diet will give your body the nutrition it needs to develop. Reducing your intake of sugar, trans fat, and saturated fat will make it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients from your food and use them to help you become stronger, taller, and healthier.
- Supervised intake of supplements will help you increase your height. Some conditions may prevent your body from producing enough HGH for growth development. Taking supplements may help you grow taller, but it needs to be supervised by a medical professional.
Conclusion
Playing basketball regularly, especially at a young age, will help you develop the muscles you need to run faster and jump higher. However, it won’t be enough to give your body what it needs to grow taller.
Some think that playing basketball will make you taller. However, younger basketball players only grow taller because their bodies are still developing. Playing basketball only helps them create the right environment to stimulate growth. Aside from this, many active basketball players also adopt a lifestyle that may help them grow taller.