You might have heard the question before, “does basketball make you taller?” or “Can I become a taller guy by playing basketball?”. Some did go one step further and asked, “does playing basketball increase height after 20?”
Let us start with an example. Manute Bole from Sudan is 7’6’’. He is called something like a short guy in his place. Then there is Muggsy Bogues, who played in the NBA with a height of 5’3’’.
There are so many people out there who truly believe height and basketball have some connection in between. There are a couple of scientific theories that they want to show to prove their claiming.
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2 Reasons Why People Think That Playing Basketball Makes You Taller
Reason 1: They claim that continuous jumping with basketball means an electric flow of body current to the brain increases. As a result, growth hormones are stimulated which leads to increasing height.
There are growth plates in our spine and legs. When you are landing on the ground after throwing your body in the air, blood flow to these growth palates increases significantly. So, height is increased too.
Reason 2: People also believe if HGH hormone level is significantly found in our body, there is a possibility of height increasing. And by playing basketball, HGH level is affected too.
Whether that is true or not, we will come back to you later.
Truth Behind This Claim
Also, a section of people is visible who think continuous training sessions can stimulate height gene.
Aren’t all of these sounding like asking someone whether owning a private jet will make him rich or not?
These NBA guys are indeed not tall because they play basketball. You can’t grow taller by playing basketball.
Lamarck’s theory is not gonna work here.
If that were the case, all short height guys in the world would have started to play basketball leaving everything else. Your genetic structure shall decide your height and shape that you are going to be in, not basketball!
How can you say this to yourself that you shall be able to grow in stature by just practicing shooting on the hoops? It is scientifically proved that genetic factors determine 60-80% height differences between individuals. The remaining percentage goes to the environment, nutrition, etc.
Well, the basketball game is open for all. Anyone can take part in this beautiful game. You do not require to be that tall to participate in this.
And yeah, you watch NBA sports on TV or live, you shall find mostly tall, lanky guys on the court. Because tall people are really made to play on a basketball court. They bring the X factor to the team’s cause
They can get to shoot at any time, anyplace. When it comes to dunk, rebound and defense, they bring their height advantage come into play incredibly well. So, the chance of those tall guys becoming NBA superstars in the future is really high.
On the contrary, short basketball players find it a bit tough out there to pass through all the barriers and are less seen as professionals than tall people.
But that does not mean shorter guys can’t get success in this profession. There are so many examples before your eyes.
A lot of tall people are not good at basketball. Numbers of small size players have come in handy too. Being tall is just an extra advantage while playing basketball; nothing more than this.
Short players must have unique talents like shooting, passing the ball to their mates, or solid defense. Whether you are short or tall, the way of playing and style must work to your advantage. for example, Kelly Olynyk and Isaiah Thomas. They are 7 feet and 5’ 9’’ respectively.
People argue a lot saying the exercise increases your height. But there is no evidence. Yeah, exercise stimulates growth hormones, but in turn, it hardly affects the exercised areas of your body.
Even there is a study done over 2 groups of people. One group has done only bicep curls and the other one leg extensions followed by bicep curls. Though the leg extension group has twice the number of growth hormones but does not have better success.
We are saying it just won’t make you grow taller. But that does not mean you should give up doing exercise. Your genes and proper maintaining of nutrition level shall determine your height.
What can be improved by playing basketball except for the height?
Jump: play basketball regularly and improve your ability to jump.
Speed ability: up and doing with the running shall make you do the attack and go into the defense in a very short time.
Rebound: chances of getting possession will be increased.
Hand eye co-ordination: running with a ball, quick pass is an integral part of playing basketball.
Final Verdict
At last, we can say that it is unlikely that NBA players are tall because they play basketball. In fact, it should be the other way around that they are playing basketball because they are tall. That doesn't surely mean that playing basketball will make you taller. Hope to get your answer.
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