10 Ways In Which Running Helps You Increase Your Height

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.

Does Running Increase Height? Ways in Which it Helps

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).

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).

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.

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.

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. These activities, paired with a balanced diet, may help you grow taller and are considered effective exercises to increase height.

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!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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.

Illustration: Ways In Which Running Helps You Increase Your Height

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.

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Rakesh RathodCertified Personal Trainer

     

Rakesh Rathod is a certified fitness trainer and yoga instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. He also has a diploma in nutrition, level 1 in Krav maga, and is a bodybuilding contest coach.

Read full bio of Rakesh Rathod

Shirin MehdiHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shirin is a health and wellness writer with three years of experience and specializes in writing articles on yoga and has extensive knowledge about the postures of the asanas. Prior to joining Stylecraze, she interned with an advertising firm as a copywriter and as an editorial intern for a luxury fashion magazine.

Read full bio of Shirin Mehdi

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Himanshi MahajanHealth & Wellness Writer

Himanshi Mahajan is a Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach. She has a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from Guru Nanak Dev University and two years of experience in writing SEO-based and research-backed content across health and lifestyle genres.

Read full bio of Himanshi Mahajan