10 Ways In Which Running Helps You Increase Your Height

Surprising ways this simple endurance activity can support growth and development.

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• Mar 1, 2024

10 Ways In Which Running Helps You Increase Your Height

Image: Shutterstock

Running is a great form of exercise. It’s a good start for beginners and a better choice for staying in shape. But can running increase height? Many claims associate running as a form of exercise that positively affects an individual’s height. Well, this aerobic exercise is easy to start, requires no special equipment, and can be a sustainable physical activity to maintain your fitness goals.

Quick Tip

Wear running shoes with enough support and cushioning to help you run comfortably with a reduced risk of injuries.

But can it really promote height? What are its other benefits? Get the answers to these queries below. Continue reading.

In This Article

Does Running Increase Height? Ways in Which it Helps

Image: Shutterstock

1. If you run regularly, your overall health improves. It boosts the immune system, thus preventing the body from being a victim to a lot of diseases (1). Running helps in the relaxation of the muscles. It also helps in toning the muscles. This results in the prevention of muscle fatigue. Running regularly also helps in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and boosting cardiovascular health (2). It reduces the chances of suffering from diabetes as it helps in keeping the sugar levels in check (3).

Image: Shutterstock

2. Running may not help in increasing your height, but it surely helps in decreasing the excess weight (4). If you lose weight, you will look thinner. And when you are thin, you can deceive a lot of eyes. In this way, running increases height indirectly. Isn’t it?

3. Running also helps in improving the mental condition of a person. It may help in relieving anxiety and stress, reduce depression, and prevent tension and headaches. Running helps in the secretion of some hormones in the brain which in turn help in elevating one’s mood and keep you in a good mood throughout the day (5) (6).

Morten Jensen, a blogger, talks about the impact running has had on his life: “Almost every time I finish a run, I come back home feeling 10 inches taller. I feel in control and as though everything in life just makes sense and there’s meaning and purpose to my existence (i).

A study examined the mental well-being of 1,496 Parkrun participants and the findings revealed that a significant proportion of participants reported positive impacts on their physical and mental health. 83.4% of participants indicated that running or walking had a positive impact on their physical health, 87.9% of participants reported experiencing positive effects on their fitness levels and 82.1% of participants reported that their running had a positive influence on their mental wellbeing.

4. If you run, your blood pressure stays under control (7). Your arteries maintain their elasticity if you run. When you are running, your arteries contract and expand harder than they usually do. Therefore, it reduces the risk of having a stroke and heart attack (8) (2).

Image: Shutterstock

5. Asthma is caused due to difficulty in breathing. Our lung activity increases while running as inhalation and exhalation increase. So, the chances of having an asthma attack or the problem of bronchitis are reduced (9).

6. If you run on a daily basis, you can gain a personal control over yourself, the amount of medicines you take in, and the ability to control your own schedule, health, career and future. Running brings discipline to your life and discipline means success.

Image: Shutterstock

7. Everybody wants clear skin. Did you know that running helps you to maintain clear skin? Running helps in the stimulation of blood circulation which helps in transporting the essential nutrients throughout the body and also aids in flushing out the unwanted toxic substances from the body, thus allowing you to maintain clear skin.

8. Running regularly also helps in increasing the physical strength of the person and in their skeletal growth. It removes the fatigue of the tendons, muscles and joints, and prevents future injuries to these body parts.

Image: Shutterstock

9. Did you know that running may also help treat insomnia? Well, when you run a lot, your body is tired and wants some rest. So, when you go to bed at night, you get a nice, good night’s sleep (10).

10. Running is not only a great workout for your heart and lungs, it may also help prevent osteoporosis! This weight-bearing exercise may stimulate the release of growth hormones, which may enhance bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis (11).

Quick Tip

Ensure you warm up with a few jumping jacks and walking lunges before you start running. This will reduce your risk of developing any injuries.

Running not only improves your height but boosts your overall health. However, you must also engage in other exercises along with it to reap the benefits. Scroll down to find out.

Running And Exercises To Grow Taller

Engaging in regular running and exercises during adolescence may promote height growth. Running, stretching, resistance exercises, and hanging exercises like pull-ups may stimulate the release of growth hormones, which are essential for bone growth and formation (12), (13). Running strengthens the bones and enhances the posture and overall stature. Additionally, these exercises also improve spine alignment, contributing to a taller appearance. Combined with a balanced diet, these activities can help you grow taller.

Infographic: 6 Ways In Which Running May Help

Running packs a plethora of health benefits, from tackling countless ailments to promoting clear and beautiful skin. But how does this exercise help you increase your height? We have rounded up 6 ways in which running not only helps increase your height but improves your overall health. Check out the infographic below to know more!

6 ways in which running may help (infographic)

Running is one of the effective exercises and can boost overall health. But does running increase height, as some people believe? In reality, running will not directly impact height. However, it can boost the immune system, decrease weight, relieve stress, anxiety, and depression, and keep blood pressure under control. As it also promotes lung function, running helps reduce the severity of asthma attacks. In addition, it promotes physical strength and improves bone density helps manage insomnia. All these benefits positively affect the body and promote overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can running help with elongating the spine and improving posture, leading to the illusion of increased height?

Yes, running helps in posture improvement and elongation of the spine (spinal decompression) which makes a person look taller.

Is there any scientific evidence to support the idea that running can increase height?

No, running does not help increase height.

Can running have any negative effects on height or growth in general?

No, there are no negative effects of running on height or growth.

What other factors can influence height, such as genetics and nutrition?

There are several factors that influence a man’s height like genetics, hormones, and medical conditions.

Are there any other forms of exercise or physical activity that can increase height?

There are no specific exercises or sports that may help increase height.

Can running help children and teenagers achieve their full height potential?

Running is a good exercise but it does not affect the eventual height of a person. It is determined by a person’s lifestyle, genetics, hormones, and well-balanced diet.

How does running compare to other forms of exercise, such as weightlifting or yoga, in terms of the potential impact on height?

Height depends on genetics. Neither weight lifting, yoga, exercise, nor running can help in increasing the height. However, weight lifting or severe exercise can cause overall health issues which running does not.

Is there a certain age range or window in which running can have the greatest impact on height?

After reaching a certain age, no one can grow taller even with running or exercise. However, it keeps your weight in check and creates an illusion of you being taller.

Key Takeaways

When you run, your blood circulation increases. As the oxygen flows to the bones, it helps boost your height.
Sometimes you might not increase your height, but running can make you lose weight. This will make you appear a little taller than before.
You can prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases by running regularly.
Improved blood circulation due to running flushes toxins from the body, which helps you get clear skin.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Running can help you increase your height. Watch this video to learn simple tips to maximize your running benefits and get taller.

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. 6 Reasons Why Running Is So Much More Than Just a Healthy Sport
https://medium.com/runners-life/6-reasons-why-running-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-healthy-sport-b49a48f7fb1d

References

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