Does abs workout affect height?

by   |   Jun 12, 2024

With all the publicity surrounding abs workouts, the advantages of engaging in abs exercises are becoming more widely known. Working out your abs can help you develop stronger abdominal muscles and a stronger core. That is why more and more people desiring to have six-pack abs start to work out. However, there is still much debate about whether abs workout can also affect height. To give the answer to the question “Does abs workout affect height?“, this article will cover the role of abs in our body and whether doing abs exercises has a beneficial or detrimental impact on height. 

The abs’ anatomy

To understand how abs exercise can affect a person’s height, we must first understand the basic architecture of the skeletal muscle groups known as the “abs.”

The abs are actually made up of several separate muscle groups which work together to stabilize and protect the body. The ever-popular “six-pack” is just simply the outer layer of the abdominal muscles, also referred to as the rectus abdominis.

The deepest abs muscle, known as the transverse abdominis, is in charge of a large portion of the thoracic stabilization that is necessary to maintain an upright posture. Deeper areas of the core also show other abs muscles, such as the internal and external obliques, which line the sides of the waist.

To achieve the correct posture, which means not holding yourself in such a way that you place excessive stress on any portion of the body, you have to make sure all your abs muscles are healthy. 

does-abs-workout-affect-height

Does abs workout affect height?

It depends on whether you mean it in a positive or negative way.

Generally, abs exercises do not have a negative impact on height unless there is a serious injury during the workout. On the contrary, strengthening your abdominals can even help you grow taller by raising your growth hormones and enhancing your posture. If a person does abs workouts properly, they can gain a slight increase in overall height.

To receive the best benefits and prevent injuries that could impede height growth, you should choose ab exercises according to your skill level (beginning, moderate, or advanced) and avoid straining yourself trying to finish a heavy exercise as it could make you hunch over and appear smaller.

Should teenagers and children work out their abs?

Due to such popular misconceptions about how abs exercises affect height, many people are convinced that children and teenagers should completely avoid working out their abs. However, contrary to the popular belief, this is usually not the case. As long as abs workouts are done appropriately, they will do good for a young person’s health and development. Abs exercises not only can increase children’s height but also offer many other health benefits.

Abs workouts benefits

Helps with lower back pain

Daily abdominal exercises can offer more benefits beyond the abdomen which include increasing the back’s flexibility and strength, enhancing blood flow, and lessening the discomfort and stiffness in the lower back [1].

Improves posture

When your pelvis tilts forward, your spine becomes overly curved, which leads to poor posture. By performing abs exercises daily, you may build up a strong core that makes it easier for the body to evenly distribute weight, which can assist in easing the strain on your spine and enhancing posture.

Slims down waist

An abs exercise may not be the most efficient for reducing belly fat, but it is the best option when it comes to helping you lose weight and shrink your waist. Many people, especially women, have turned to abs workouts in an effort to achieve a smaller waist. 

Helps with inflammation

Any workouts that focus on the core like abs exercises can definitely reduce inflammation indicators in the body by up to 25%. According to research, people who engage in core-intensive exercises show lower levels of inflammatory indicators [2].

Best abs exercises

It is impossible to have strong abs immediately, you have to take regular exercises. Here are some abs workouts you can easily do at home.

bird-dog-crunch

Bird-Dog Crunch

To do this exercise:

  • Start on all fours on the floor with your hands precisely beneath your shoulders and your hips aligned with your knees. 
  • Lift your left leg and extend it straight back.
  • Lift your right hand and extend your arm straight out in front of you, keeping it at shoulder height. 
  • Bring your left leg up to touch the underside of your right elbow. 
  • Repeat the initial position with the other side.

Standing Bicycle Crunches

standing-bicycle-crunches

To do this exercise:

  • Place your hands behind your head. 
  • Stand with your feet hip-width apart. 
  • Lift your right leg while maintaining a tight core, a straight back, and relaxed shoulders.
  • Raise your right knee.
  • Lower your left elbow toward one another. 
  • Repeat the initial position with the other side.

Seated Leg Lifts

To do this exercise:

  • Sit on the ground.
  • Place your legs out in front of you straight. 
  • Lean back slightly.
  • Put your hands on each side of your glutes while maintaining a strong core. 
  • Breathe deeply and raise one leg six inches off the floor.
  • Hold for five seconds, then release and set it aside. 
  • Repeat the initial position with the other side.

Sit-Ups

To do this exercise:

  • Take a seat on the floor with your knees bent, heels flat on the ground, hands on either side of your head, shoulders relaxed, and your neck free of any strain. 
  • Lay back as far as you can while keeping your feet on the ground, or until your back is flat on the floor.
  • Get back up.
  • Repeat the initial position with the other side.

Modified Bicycle Crunch

To do this exercise:

  • Sit with your legs bent, heels flat on the floor, and hands on either side of your head in the same neutral posture as the sit-up. 
  • Bring the right knee and left elbow together gently. 
  • Go back to the starting point.
  • Repeat the initial position with the other side.

In conclusion,

Abs exercises do indeed affect height and they almost certainly make you taller if done properly. However, we would like to emphasize that doing one muscle group exercise can not increase your height. Merely working out one muscle group can soon result in problems like muscular imbalances and bad posture. To grow healthier and taller quickly, you should engage in a thorough exercise regimen that targets every muscle group. In addition, you should follow a healthy schedule, eat well, avoid staying up late, go to bed on time, and take trustworthy dietary supplements daily.

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