Many believe that swimming can make a person grow taller, attributing the height of professional swimmers like Michael Phelps and Matt Grevers to their rigorous swimming routines.
So, does swimming make you taller? Despite the numerous benefits swimming offers for physical fitness and overall health, increasing height is not one of them.
This article debunks the myth and explores why swimming can make you appear taller.
No, Swimming Does Not Make You Taller
The belief that swimming can make someone taller is a common misconception. Swimming does not directly increase height. Height is primarily determined by genetics, with factors such as nutrition, hormones, and overall health playing supporting roles.
Swimming, however, can contribute to a better posture and a more elongated appearance. This is because swimming engages the entire body, helping to strengthen core muscles and improve spinal alignment.
The buoyancy of water also reduces the impact of gravity on the spine, temporarily decompressing it. This might make one appear slightly taller after a swimming session. However, this effect is not permanent and does not translate into actual height growth.
The Myth: Swimming And Increased Height
The belief that swimming can make you grow taller stems from certain theories and observations, but science tells a different story.
Hydrostatic Pressure Theory
One theory suggests that the buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure experienced in water can elongate the body, leading to increased height.
Here’s how it works. When you’re in the water, you feel lighter because the water supports your body. This is called buoyancy. The water pressure also pushes evenly on your body.
This support and pressure can make you feel taller, giving your spine (the bones in your back) a break from the usual gravity pulling down on it.
The sensation of being taller happens because the water reduces the pressure on your joints and spine, allowing them to stretch out a bit. However, this is only a temporary feeling.
Despite the temporary feeling of being taller, the actual length of your bones and height do not change. Once you’re out of the water and back to normal gravity, everything returns to how it was.
Posture Improvement
Swimming exercises your core (stomach) and back muscles, making them stronger and better at supporting your spine. With stronger muscles, you naturally stand straighter and more upright, making you look taller.
While you might look taller with better posture, this doesn’t mean you’ve grown in height. Good posture improves your overall health and helps you present yourself better. However, it doesn’t change your genetic height.
Spinal Decompression
Swimming involves stretching and elongating the body, which can temporarily decompress the spine. This decompression might lead to a slight increase in height immediately after swimming, but it is not a permanent change and does not contribute to long-term height growth.
This temporary increase is similar to the slight height difference noticed between morning and evening due to spinal decompression during sleep.
The Truth About Height Growth
To understand whether swimming makes you taller, we must first comprehend the primary factors influencing height growth.
Genetic Factors
Height is primarily determined by genetics. You will likely inherit this trait if your family members are naturally tall. Genetic growth potential accounts for about 80% of a person’s height. The remaining 20% is influenced by nutrition, physical activity, and overall health.
Role Of Growth Plates And Hormones
Growth plates in the bones stimulate height growth during adolescence. These plates gradually close after puberty, signalling the end of height growth. Human growth hormone (HGH), produced by the pituitary gland, stimulates these growth plates.
Sex hormones, testosterone and oestrogen, also regulate growth during these years. Once the growth plates close, no exercise, including swimming, can increase height.
Nutrition And Health
Proper nutrition is essential for optimal growth. Diets rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins support the development of bones and muscles.
Calcium, vitamin D, and other key nutrients can deficiency impair bone growth and development. Regular health check-ups and a balanced diet to achieve maximum height potential.
Physical Activity
While swimming doesn’t increase height, regular physical activity is crucial for healthy growth. Activities promoting bone density and overall fitness, such as running, jumping, and strength training, can complement a balanced diet and genetics supporting height growth. Engaging in various sports and exercises ensures well-rounded physical development.
What Makes A Perfect Swimmer Body?
While swimming might not make you taller, it does contribute to developing a body well-suited for the sport. Here are four factors that make a perfect swimmer body:
- Lean Muscle Mass: Swimming builds lean muscle, particularly in the shoulders, back, and core, providing strength and endurance. Water resistance requires constant muscle engagement, leading to a toned and powerful physique.
- Flexibility: Swimmers often stretch to maintain and improve their flexibility, which aids in stroke efficiency and reduces injury risk.
- Cardiovascular Fitness: Swimming is an excellent cardiovascular workout that improves heart and lung function and is essential for stamina in the water. Regular swimming strengthens the cardiovascular system, allowing for sustained physical activity without fatigue.
- Low Body Fat: Competitive swimmers often have low body fat percentages, which contribute to better buoyancy and speed in the water. This lean physique results from rigorous training and a balanced diet, which are essential for optimal performance.
Does Height Matter In Swimming?
Height can be an advantage in swimming due to longer limbs and greater reach, contributing to faster strokes and better leverage. Swimmers with longer arms can cover more distance per stroke, and longer legs provide powerful kicks.
However, it’s not the sole determinant of success. Many shorter swimmers excel due to their technique, strength, and determination. Muscle power, endurance, and mental toughness play significant roles in a swimmer’s performance.
4 Tips For Short Swimmers
For shorter swimmers looking to maximise their potential, consider these four tips:
- Focus on Technique: Perfecting stroke technique can significantly improve speed and efficiency, regardless of height. To maximise performance, emphasise streamlined body positions, effective breathing patterns, and precise turns.
- Strength Training: Building muscle strength, particularly in the core and upper body, can enhance power and performance. Weight and resistance exercises can improve overall muscle endurance and explosive power.
- Flexibility Exercises: Incorporate stretching and flexibility routines to increase range of motion and reduce the risk of injury. Flexibility can enhance stroke efficiency and prevent muscle strains and other injuries.
- Mental Toughness: Cultivate a strong mental attitude and resilience to overcome physical limitations and excel in competitions. Confidence, focus, and a positive mindset are crucial for peak performance in competitive swimming.
Conclusion About Does Swimming Make You Taller
While swimming offers numerous health benefits, including improved posture and overall fitness, it does not influence genetic factors or the closure of growth plates that determine height. Still, you can embrace swimming for its multitude of advantages.
If you are interested in this sport, enrol in JustSwim swimming lessons in Singapore. Our coaches can help you enjoy these benefits, enhancing your posture and overall well-being while also helping you improve your techniques.
Our adults and kids swimming lessons can take place at any swimming pool in Singapore. With flexible scheduling, you can improve your strokes at any time. Book a trial today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Does Swimming Make You Taller
Is There Any Exercise That Can Make Me Taller?
No exercise can increase your height once your growth plates have closed after puberty. However, maintaining good posture and a healthy lifestyle can help you reach your full genetic potential.
Are There Specific Swimming Techniques That Can Help With Spinal Health?
Yes, swimming techniques focusing on maintaining a streamlined body position and proper breathing can help with spinal health. When performed correctly, strokes like backstroke and freestyle can promote spinal alignment and flexibility.
Does Swimming Help With Growth In Other Ways Besides Height?
Yes, swimming aids overall growth by improving cardiovascular health, building muscle strength, enhancing flexibility, and supporting mental health. It also encourages a healthy lifestyle and discipline.
Is There An Optimal Age To Start Swimming For Physical Development?
Swimming can be beneficial at any age. Starting at a young age helps develop good physical habits, coordination, and strength early on. However, swimming remains beneficial throughout life for maintaining fitness and overall health.
