Question: Is there any treatment to make people taller and could it help there performance when running?

Helen O'Connor answered on 22 Jun 2011:

Although Usain Bolt is pretty tall, most 100m runners have a different physique to him, and middle and long distance runners also benefit from different body types. So it kind of depends on the type of running you are thinking about. Height isnt the only thing that helps – speed and power and endurance are too.

But in terms of treatment to make yourself taller, I dont think there are any. Some bodybuilders take a medication called human growth hormone (even though it’s a banned substance in sport): this doesnt make them grow taller but it does increase the size of their muscles and many of their internal organs. If you look at pictures of 1970-80s bodybuilders (like Arnie) compared to 1990s bodybuilders, you will see that the 1990s bodybuilders often have a bigger stomach area – this isnt fat, its just that their internal organs have grown so much it pushes out their stomachs. Human growth hormone also makes the joints in their hands and feet grow and get pretty painful.