When watching professional basketball players on television, we can’t help but wonder how they are so tall. Is it because of their genetics, or can basketball make you taller? Indeed, many people assume the player’s height is somehow connected with the sport they play. Such an assumption is even backed by several scientific studies over the years. A deeper look is required to better understand the relationship between playing basketball and height growth. Can you grow taller by playing basketball, or does the sport require an outstanding height in order to succeed? Read on to find out!
Does playing basketball make you taller?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Does playing basketball make you taller?
New findings indicate that there exists a correlation between human height development and basketball. Some people disregard this as an old wives’ tale, arguing that genetics is the sole determinant of how tall you’ll be. However, there’s evidence suggesting that the movements involved in playing the game of basketball may help boost height growth during your growing years.
Playing basketball increase height
In fact, according to scientists, the body current flow to your brain increases with jumping while playing basketball. This stimulates the production of growth hormone within your body, thereby making you grow taller. High levels of growth hormone in both males and females have the ability to boost rapid height gain. With increased growth hormone levels, basketball players can grow taller fast during their developmental years and eventually reach or even surpass their genetically predetermined height.
Moreover, playing basketball means you have to do a lot of running, jumping, shooting and dribbling, in which running stimulates the release of growth hormone, jumping triggers blood flow to the growth plates to amplify their functions, shooting and dribbling promote height by stretching your arms and spine. It can be said all of the movements when playing basketball contribute to height growth one way or another.
This could explain why many NBA stars have significant growth spurts in high school. Some of them even grew taller by 8 inches in one summer by playing basketball.
What about volleyball, the players also do a lot of jumping? The average height of male volleyball players is 6 feet 6.5 inches. So, it’s likely that volleyball has the same height-increasing benefit, too. Despite this, having dominant height gives players an advantage over their rivals when they step on the court. The higher a player is, the greater their reach to get the ball is. For this reason, most volleyball teams only recruit tall players unless you have a special talent.
How do you grow taller in basketball? Why are basketball players so tall?
When puberty hits you, your height will grow at the fastest rate in the following two years. Puberty usually lasts between two and five years for most teenagers. But if your growth plates are still open, you have a pretty good chance of growing taller naturally.
Playing basketball regularly during your growing years, especially puberty will promote bone growth and bone strength, thus accelerating your height development. Combine your basketball games with stretching exercises as well to foster good health and flexible muscles.
Why are basketball players so tall?
What’s more, you should look after what you eat every day as nutrition is the most powerful external factor that influences how tall you will become. In other words, if you rely heavily on junk food instead of having a healthy and balanced diet, you can’t reach your full height potential. As a result, you should make sure that your body acquires enough essential nutrients to grow at an optimal rate and reach its genetically predetermined height.
In addition to nutrition, sleep is extremely important when growing up. Proper sleep facilitates the release of growth hormone that is responsible for height growth. Not only will you wake up feeling refreshed but you also grow taller after a good night’s sleep. Therefore, you need to sleep for at least 8 hours a day and avoid staying up late at all costs.
Leading a healthy lifestyle will also help you add those extra inches to your height. Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs to maximize your height gain.
Crazy growth spurts in basketball
Aside from mind-blowing shoots and astounding games, the sport is also renowned for the crazy growth spurts of some of the best players. In fact, many players could make it to the NBA after experiencing a monster growth spurt that happened during high school, which allowed them to get a scholarship to popular basketball teams at prestigious colleges. Many players are already excellent in their states and are working on their skills, then one year they grow taller by 6 to 12 inches, making them eligible for the NBA.
It’s becoming more and more difficult to stand out as a basketball player as tall and athletic players mostly depend more on their physical strength than their skills. So, unless you’re a freak athlete, you can’t compete in the game without a dominant height. Growth spurts have helped a lot of players achieve huge success after putting effort into honing their skills and then growing a few more inches in one summer.
What is the best age to play basketball?
Children should start playing basketball when they are young, typically around age five or six. At this age, they will learn the basics of the game as well as develop their enthusiasm. Normally, they can learn to bounce, throw, and catch a ball. Then when they progress, about seven to nine or so, they can start learning how to dribble and the rules. They also participate in teams and play with the others in the same group.
Children at ten can start a strength training program incorporating flexibility exercises, such as pushing, pulling, squatting, and lunging. These actions will help them stay focused and motivated, thereby improving their strength, movement, and coordination.
What positions are the best to improve height?
Dribbling
This action requires you to bounce the ball continuously to attack. It is often done with the dominant hand, but you should practice with both hands to trigger growth hormone production.
Jump and throw the ball into the basket
This movement stimulates the growth plates to produce more growth cartilage. While jumping, try to keep your back straight for maximum spine growth. Also, you should pay attention to two important ways to increase height effectively.
The jump shot is a basic exercise to support height growth, often used during the game. When you jump, make sure to keep a distance between your legs and bend your shoulders and knees to bounce up.
Layup is often taken place in a short time. You run quickly and jump as high as possible to place the ball into the basket. This action helps improve the flexibility of your legs.
Throw the ball from afar
This skill is necessary in case you cannot reach the opponent’s basket. To perform accurately, you need to jump high and reach out so that your opponent cannot steal the ball. At the same time, your head, neck, and back should be in a straight line. That said, throwing the ball from afar is effective for cartilage and bone growth, thereby stimulating height gain.
Other benefits of basketball
So far we’ve known that basketball can increase height, but does it have other benefits? The answer is yes, playing basketball has lasting mental, physical, and social benefits that contribute to building a healthy and happy life.
Boosting your cardiovascular health. Basketball requires intensity like any other aerobic workout, which gets your heart pumping and thus reduces the risk of heart disease.
Burning calories. The motions involved in playing basketball can burn a lot of calories for players. This would prevent weight gain effectively and keep the players’ fitness in check.
Improving the immune system. Playing basketball strengthens the body’s internal defense system. Having a healthy and strong immune system protects our bodies from toxins, bacteria, and viruses – all of which can make us sick.
Developing and promoting bone strength as well as muscle development. Basketball reduces the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Besides, it facilitates mineral absorption into our bones, making them stronger. Furthermore, the sport stimulates the corresponding muscles and strengthens them to a great extent.
Benefiting mental health. Your overall confidence and self-esteem are enhanced with the skills you develop in the game. Concentration and self-discipline will also be improved when training and playing as part of a team, especially with a coach.
Chances of socializing. You can make lasting friendships and connections through playing basketball as it’s a team sport. Your team can eventually be your number 1 support however tough the competition is.
NuBest Tall is a growth supplement made by NuBest company. It is formulated with Calcium, Collagen, herbs and nutrients claimed to promote bone growth of growing children and teenagers. Click here for more details.
Directions: For children (5+) and teenagers who do not drink milk daily.
+ Under the age of 10: Take one (1) capsule twice daily about 30 minutes before meals or 1 hour after meals.
+ Ages 10 to teenagers: Take one (1) capsule three times daily about 30 minutes before meals or 1 hour after meals.
Joy Bauer is a renowned physician and nutrition expert who has dedicated her career to helping people live healthier, happier lives. With over two decades of experience in the field of health and wellness, Dr. Bauer has become one of the most trusted voices in the industry.
One of Dr. Bauer’s areas of expertise is in the field of height growth. She has worked with countless patients over the years who were looking to increase their height naturally, and has developed a range of effective strategies and techniques to help them achieve their goals.
Dr. Bauer believes that a healthy diet and lifestyle are essential for optimal growth and development. She works closely with her patients to develop personalized nutrition plans that are tailored to their unique needs and goals. These plans include a variety of nutrient-dense foods and supplements that are designed to support healthy bone growth and development.
In addition to her work in height growth, Dr. Bauer is also a leading expert in the areas of weight loss, disease prevention, and overall wellness. She is a regular contributor to a number of popular media outlets, including The Today Show, The Dr. Oz Show, and Good Morning America.
If you’re looking for a physician who is passionate about helping you live your best life, look no further than Dr. Joy Bauer. With her expertise, compassion, and commitment to excellence, she is the ideal partner for anyone who is looking to achieve their health and wellness goals.
The reason behind the creation of the website HowToGrowTaller is to provide effective guidance and support to individuals who are looking to increase their height naturally. Dr. Joy Bauer recognized that many people feel self-conscious or insecure about their height, and that there is a great deal of misinformation out there about how to grow taller.
With HowToGrowTaller, Dr. Bauer wanted to create a comprehensive resource that would provide individuals with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to achieve their height goals. The website includes a wide range of resources, including nutrition plans, exercise routines, and other proven strategies that are designed to support healthy growth and development.
One of the key benefits of HowToGrowTaller is that it is a one-stop-shop for all things related to height growth. Instead of spending countless hours researching different strategies and techniques, individuals can turn to the website to access everything they need in one convenient location.
Overall, the goal of HowToGrowTaller is to help individuals feel more confident and empowered in their bodies. By providing them with the resources and support they need to grow taller naturally, Dr. Bauer hopes to help people achieve their height goals and improve their overall quality of life.
When it comes to height increase, both boys and girls will experience significant impacts on their growth at the age of 12. Despite gender-dependent differences, this is still a golden growth age for teenagers to increase height and maximize their growth. Let’s learn more about how to grow taller at 12 effectively. Why should you ...
A healthy and balanced diet has a great impact on your children’s nutrition intake and body development. Aside from nutritious foods, healthy drinks and beverages can help them grow stronger and taller naturally. Here are some drinks that can add inches up to your children’s height and keep them healthy in the long run. Water ...
Height is undoubtedly one of the most conspicuous physical attributes of human beings. Other than making us literally stand out from the crowd, a good height also comes with many benefits - from boosting our self-confidence and self-esteem to increasing our attractiveness, giving us an advantage in sports, and supporting our careers. No wonder most ...
Parallel with improvements in income and living standards in most cities is the growing concern of parents about their children’s overall development, in terms of not only their education, physical and mental health but also their appearance. Short parents have a perpetual worry that their children will end up inheriting their modest height, which gives ...
How to grow taller at 12 years old for teenage boys and girls
When it comes to height increase, both boys and girls will experience significant impacts on their growth at the age of 12. Despite gender-dependent differences, this is still a golden growth age for teenagers to increase height and maximize their growth. Let’s learn more about how to grow taller at 12 effectively. Why should you ...
Top 8 healthy drinks that make you taller
A healthy and balanced diet has a great impact on your children’s nutrition intake and body development. Aside from nutritious foods, healthy drinks and beverages can help them grow stronger and taller naturally. Here are some drinks that can add inches up to your children’s height and keep them healthy in the long run. Water ...
How to grow taller at 17
Height is undoubtedly one of the most conspicuous physical attributes of human beings. Other than making us literally stand out from the crowd, a good height also comes with many benefits - from boosting our self-confidence and self-esteem to increasing our attractiveness, giving us an advantage in sports, and supporting our careers. No wonder most ...
Do height growth pills work?
Parallel with improvements in income and living standards in most cities is the growing concern of parents about their children’s overall development, in terms of not only their education, physical and mental health but also their appearance. Short parents have a perpetual worry that their children will end up inheriting their modest height, which gives ...
