There are many benefits to doing a handstand, including improving blood circulation, enhancing balance, and aiding in weight loss. But can handstands help with increasing height?
Can Handstands Help Increase Height?
Doing handstands to a certain extent can help with increasing height.
Growth in height is a process of continuous ossification of the body's cartilage. If the epiphyseal plates in the body have already closed, the height cannot be changed by any external means. However, if the epiphyseal plates are still growing, exercises like jumping and stretching can aid in height increase. Handstands are a static stretching exercise that can increase the gap between bones, thus benefiting height increase.
Why Can Handstands Help Increase Height?
Height is influenced by factors such as genetics, nutrition, and environment. However, appropriate exercise can also have an impact on height. Doing stretching exercises during adolescence can aid in height increase, and handstands are a form of stretching exercise. When the body is in a handstand position, the legs are extended, which stretches the muscles. This is beneficial for increasing height, making handstands helpful for improving height.
Are Handstands Effective for Increasing Height?
While handstands can help improve height, they are not very efficient and the results are not significant. Jumping exercises and activities like basketball, long jump, high jump, and pull-ups are more effective for increasing height. In addition to exercise, getting enough sleep and maintaining a nutritious diet, particularly with foods high in protein and calcium, can enhance the effects of height increase.
The Best Time for Handstands
In general, it is best to do handstands in the evening when the body's hormones, strength, and various reactions are at their optimal levels. It is recommended to avoid doing handstands within 2 hours after a meal and before going to bed. Doing handstands within 2 hours after a meal can harm the digestive system, while doing handstands before bed can affect sleep quality.
Precautions for Handstands
1. Do not hold a handstand for too long. Control the duration between 5 to 15 minutes per session. Start with a few seconds and gradually increase the time as you become more experienced.
2. It is best to do the first handstand on a soft mat or cushion to avoid dizziness or headaches.
3. Warm up before doing handstands, especially the wrists, to prevent injuries during the exercise.
4. After completing a handstand, it is advisable to stretch the limbs slightly instead of immediately resting. This can prevent dizziness or discomfort after the handstand.
