Can stretching make you taller?

Stretching does not directly promote height growth.

Human height is primarily determined by genetic factors, but skeletal growth, the endocrine system, nutritional status, and lifestyle habits also play roles. During childhood and adolescence, the growth plates in the bones are responsible for height increases. However, once adulthood is reached, the growth plates close, and the potential for natural height growth diminishes.

Stretching exercises, such as yoga, swimming, and basketball, positively affect flexibility and muscle strength but have limited direct impact on height. During childhood and adolescence, moderate stretching exercises can improve blood circulation, increase joint range of motion, and support healthy bone development, potentially exerting a minor indirect positive effect on height growth.

However, for adults whose epiphyseal lines have closed, stretching cannot further lengthen the bones because the growth plates have already fused and no longer possess growth potential. Therefore, the claim that adults can increase their height through stretching is not scientifically supported.