Does Swimming Make You Taller? What the Evidence Says
Many parents hear that swimming will help their child grow taller. It is a nice idea, but it is not what the evidence shows. Here is the real story.
The short answer
No. There is no good evidence that swimming makes children or adults grow taller. Height is mostly determined by genes, with nutrition and overall health also playing a part. Swimming is excellent for children's health, but it will not change how tall they become.
What decides height?
According to MedlinePlus, from the US National Library of Medicine, scientists estimate that about 80 percent of the variation in height between people is due to inherited genetic differences. Hundreds of gene variants each have a small effect. The rest is influenced by environmental factors, especially nutrition during childhood, as well as general health. Growth stops when the growth plates at the ends of the long bones close, usually by the late teens.
So why are swimmers often tall?
Elite swimmers are often tall because height is an advantage in swimming: longer arms and legs give a longer reach and stroke, and a taller body can move through the water efficiently. Tall children who do well in swimming are more likely to continue in the sport. In other words, height helps people succeed in swimming, rather than swimming making people tall.
What about feeling taller after a swim?
When you float, the water takes the weight off your spine. Your spine is also slightly longer after a night's sleep than at the end of a day on your feet. Any small difference after swimming is temporary and disappears as you go about your day.
What swimming can do
- Posture. Swimming strengthens the back, shoulders and core, and the long, stretched body position encourages good alignment. Better posture can make you stand taller, even if it does not change your height.
- Fitness and healthy weight. Swimming builds heart and lung fitness and supports a healthy weight.
- Daily activity. WHO recommends that children aged 5 to 17 average at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity a day. Swimming helps.
- Sleep. Many parents notice children sleep well after an active day, and sleep is part of healthy growth and development.
- Water safety. Most importantly, it teaches skills that protect children around water. See why swimming is good for kids.
If you are worried about your child's growth
Children grow at different rates. If you are concerned about your child's height or growth, speak to your family doctor or paediatrician, who can check their growth against standard charts. A balanced diet, enough sleep and regular physical activity are the best general support for healthy growth.
Swimming lessons for children
Swimming is worth doing for its own sake. See our kids swimming course and toddler swimming course, or read the best age to learn swimming.
More in children and babies
- What to bring for baby swimming lessons10 must-have items for the swim bag
- What is artistic swimming?A beginner's guide to the Olympic sport
- Why is swimming good for kids?11 benefits for children, and how SwimSafer fits in Singapore
- Infant swimming benefits10 benefits of swimming with your baby, and how to keep it safe
Sources
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine), Is height determined by genetics?. About 80 percent of variation in height is determined by inherited DNA variants; environmental factors such as nutrition also contribute.
- World Health Organization, Physical activity fact sheet. Children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 should average at least 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Looking for swimming lessons for your child?
Tell us your child's age, their swimming experience and anything the instructor should know. We will suggest a suitable course, format and pool. Lessons run at public swimming complexes, private venues and condominium pools across Singapore.