Very few people are completely satisfied with how they look, and while some physical attributes can be easily altered or corrected, others are hard or even impossible to change. Unfortunately, height falls into the latter category. Though not entirely unattainable, height increase is a process that takes a lot of time and effort. In view of the lack of confidence and insecurity felt by many short people, profuse research has been done to discover different ways we can do to increase height by a few inches. Throughout this process, it was found out that among other benefits, running can help those whose desire is to grow taller. So, does running make you taller? The answer is yes. However, if you expect significant results, you will need to do much more than your occasional jogging. Read on to learn how running can make you taller.
Does running make you taller?
We all know that running has various benefits. As a kid, most of us have a natural urge to run. Our parents are also encouraged to allow their children to run as much as possible for it would facilitate mental and physical development. Despite this, once we grow older, we seem to forget how good running is. Amongst other benefits, running can make you taller. The question is, how is this possible?
Running can increase your height by triggering growth hormone production. When you run, your pituitary gland is stimulated to produce more growth hormone, which will thicken your cartilages and bones as well as increase your bone density, thereby leading to bone growth and remodeling. The more growth hormone is released into your system, the taller you will become. Unfortunately, this will only happen if you run in bursts intensely and regularly. The level of growth hormone will depend on the effectiveness of your running exercise. If you are a regular and intensive runner, you can end up releasing a lot of growth hormone that contributes to your natural height growth.
Running also contributes to your height growth process by repairing micro-fractures in the body. The process of healing these micro-fractures is faster than regular changes in your bones as you run for short distances at top speeds. Besides, once the micro-fractures around the ankle area or the lower shin are ossified, it increases the length of the bones and results in a positive change to your height.
Running has the physiological effect of improving your posture, thus helping you gain height. It de-stresses your muscles, relaxes your shoulders, straightens your posture, makes you pull your chest back and your chin up, and allows you to stand tall. The change would be more apparent if you used to have a hunchback posture. In addition, running is a great choice for weight loss and keeping fit. It shapes up your whole body in a reasonable amount of time. Thanks to this, you will appear taller as leaner people tend to look taller.
Running will improve your mental health as it reduces your anxiety level, induces social interaction, relieves stress, enhances your sleep quality, and gives you a goal worth achieving. Running can also save you from the risk of depression and heart diseases. Although you spend energy when running, it makes you feel more energized and increases your strength in the long run. Both your bones and muscles will become stronger, especially if you combine different running styles.
How much height you can gain through running depends on how you run. If you want to run to add some inches to your height, the first thing you should do is run regularly. Aside from increasing your height, regular running will adapt your body to the exercise. This would make it easier for you to run time and again. Sprinting at high speed in short distances is another strategy to help you achieve a taller posture. In doing so, you will not only give your body time to regain the lost energy but also trigger growth hormone release. Sprinting can get rid of excessive fat and reward you with a lean body as well.
Although running contributes a great deal to your height growth, there are a few factors you should take into consideration in order to achieve the maximum height increasing effect of running.
Now that you know the answer to the question “Does running make you taller?”, it is time for you to start taking up this habit. However, running can only deliver the expected results if you follow a high intensity and well-balanced running plan instead of running in the same routine without pushing yourself. What is more, you should integrate your running exercise with a nutritious diet, sufficient sleep, a healthy lifestyle, and other height increasing exercises. This will help you build strength and energy as well as facilitate optimal height growth for your body.
