View source for Height in sports

{{short description|Role of body height in sports}}
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{{Essay-like|date=November 2012}}
{{Overly detailed|date=November 2012}}
{{Tone|date=March 2020}}
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[[Human height|Height]] can significantly influence success in sports, depending on how the design of the sport is linked to factors that are height-biased due to physics and biology. The balance of the intricate array of links will determine the degree to which height plays a role in success, if any.

== Advantages ==
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===Below average height===
Advantages for below average height include:<ref name="Samaras 2007 33–61">{{Cite book|title= Human body size and the laws of scaling |last= Samaras|first= Thomas|year=2007 |publisher=Nova Science|location=New York|isbn= 978-1-60021-408-0|pages= 33–61|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PCU0RwDI6c4C|accessdate=2012-11-18}}</ref>
* Greater strength to weight ratio
* Greater power to weight ratio
* Faster rotational capability
* Greater agility
* Greater endurance
* Greater balance and lower [[Center of mass|centre of gravity]]
* Lower risk of heat exhaustion
* Less likely to break bones (as they are more dense)
* Lower weight (significant advantage for sports like [[Horse racing]])<ref name="weight1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://horsesport.com/magazine/business/weight-and-height-of-horse-jockeys/|title=Weight and Height of Horse Jockeys|publisher=Horse Sport}}</ref>

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===Above average height===
Advantages for above average height include:<ref name="Samaras 2007 33–61"/>
* Greater absolute strength 
* Greater [[work (physics)|work]] capacity (force multiplied by distance)
* Greater work per unit of time ([[power (physics)|power]])
* Greater weight
* Greater reach (very important in sports such as basketball and boxing)
* Greater visibility
* Lower resting metabolic rate
* Lower heart rate
* Less likely to become dehydrated
* Longer limbs and shorter torso produce a larger blocking area (important for goalkeepers)

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==Amateur wrestling==
Height can be both helpful and detrimental in wrestling. Since taller people have more bone mass, they will generally be slightly weaker than shorter people in the same weight class. This difference is made up in part by their longer arms, which allow them to have a longer reach and an easier cradle. Long legs are detrimental in that they can easily be attacked by a lolly. They do, however, assist in performing some actions and positions such as throwing, sprawling to counter a takedown or riding legs.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} The heights of amateur wrestlers vary greatly with successful athletes being as short as [[Sushil Kumar (wrestler)|Sushil Kumar]] at {{height|m=1.66}} and as tall as [[Alexander Karelin]] at {{height|m=1.91}}.

==American football==
A 2014 CNN survey reported the average NFL player was {{height|ft=6|in=2}} and weighed {{convert|216|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Knight|first1=Matt|title=Rise of the supersize rugby player|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/27/sport/rugby-sporting-physique-compared/index.html?hpt=hp_c3|accessdate=5 March 2017|publisher=CNN|date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>

In [[American Football|American]] and [[Canadian Football]], a tall [[quarterback]] is at an advantage because it is easier for him to see over the heads of large offensive and defensive linemen while he is in the pocket in a passing situation. [[Peyton Manning]] and [[Tom Brady]], standing at {{Height|ft=6|in=5}} and {{Height|ft=6|in=4}} respectively, are both examples of tall players who are considered to be among the greatest quarterbacks. At {{Height|ft=5|in=9}}, [[Doug Flutie]] was initially considered to be too short to become an NFL quarterback despite his [[Heisman Trophy]]-winning success at the college level In addition shorter quarterbacks have an advantage with their lower center of gravity and balance, which means they are better able to duck under a tackle and avoid a sack. According to the former [[Washington Commanders]] quarterback Eddie LeBaron, being shorter means you can throw the ball higher instead of a sidearm release, meaning it is harder for the defense to knock it down. Shorter quarterbacks also generally have a quicker release time than taller quarterbacks.

Tall [[wide receivers]] have an advantage of being able to reach considerably higher than shorter wide receivers to catch higher thrown passes. Of the flip side shorter receivers are generally quicker and more agile than taller receivers. Of course advantage has limits because exceedingly short receivers’ lack of reach may make it harder for QBs to get them the ball while covered, and exceedingly tall receivers may not be agile or fast enough to get open. Tight ends are usually over {{height|ft=6|in=4}} because they need greater body mass to be effective blockers and greater height is an advantage for them as receivers, since they run shorter routes based less on speed. By contrast, shorter defensive backs are utilized because of their typically greater agility, as the ability to change directions instantly is a prerequisite for the position.

Offensive and defensive linemen tend to be at least {{height|ft=6|in=1}} and are frequently as tall as {{height|ft=6|in=8}} to be massive enough to effectively play their positions. However, a handful of the better offensive and defensive linemen are even taller, such as defensive lineman [[Ed "Too Tall" Jones]] and offensive linemen [[Nate Solder]], [[Alejandro Villanueva (American football)|Alejandro Villanueva]], and [[Kolton Miller]] all being {{height|ft=6|in=9}}. Height is especially an advantage for defensive linemen, giving them the ability to knock down passes with their outstretched arms. 

Short running backs are at an advantage because their shorter stature and lower center of gravity generally makes them harder to tackle effectively. In addition, they can easily "hide" behind large offensive linemen, making it harder for defenders to react at the beginning of a play. Thus, in the [[National Football League]] and in [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] Division I football, running backs under {{height|ft=6|in=0}} are more common than running backs over {{height|ft=6|in=3}}. Former Heisman Trophy winner and [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]r [[Barry Sanders]], thought by some to be the greatest running back in history, is a classic example of a running back with an extraordinarily low center of gravity, as he stood only {{height|ft=5|in=8}}.

==Artistic gymnastics==
In [[artistic gymnastics]], being shorter is an advantage. A lower [[center of gravity]] can give an athlete better balance. A smaller athlete may also have an easier time manipulating their body in the air.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-28 |title=Here's The Real Reason Gymnasts Are So Short |url=https://www.bustle.com/wellness/why-are-gymnasts-so-short-whether-gymnastics-stunts-growth-explained |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Bustle |language=en}}</ref> [[Simone Biles]], holder of the record for most medals by a US gymnast, stands {{height|ft=4|in=8}} tall.

==Association football==
In [[association football]], or soccer, a player's height may somewhat determine the position that they play; however, people of all heights have an equal opportunity to excel professionally at the sport. Goalkeepers, centre backs and "target" heading forwards tend to be taller, while players in wide and attacking positions tend to be shorter. A study of the greatest male players in history showed that the distribution of heights approximated the average man and, when also looking at the typical weight distribution, an estimated 95% of the world's population would fall into the body type distribution of great footballers. A sample of reasonably select players from ages 11–18 in the United States tended to approximate the height distribution of the population.<ref>{{cite book|title= Principles of manual sports medicine |last= Karageanes|first= Steven J. |year=2005 |publisher=Limpincott Williams & Wilkins|location=USA |isbn= 0-8493-9197-0|page= 593|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7QVl60BQkRoC&q=%22both+short+and+tall+people%22&pg=PA593|accessdate=2010-07-08}}{{Cite book|title= The Global Art of Soccer|last= Witzig|first= Richard|year=2006 |publisher=CusiBoy Publishing |location=USA |isbn= 0-9776688-0-0|page= 500|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=H2T0ZD5S86QC&q=%22body+types+in+soccer%22&pg=PA25|accessdate=2010-07-08}}{{Cite book|title= Physique, fitness, and performance |last= Battinelli|first= Thomas|year=2007 |publisher=Taylor & Francis Group LLC|location=USA |isbn= 978-0-8493-9197-2|page= 27|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6sQbvYluLqYC&q=soccer+participants+were+small+and+stout&pg=PA27|accessdate=2010-07-08}}{{Cite book|title= Science and Soccer|last1= Williams|first1= Mark|year=2003 |publisher=Routledge|location=USA |isbn= 0-415-26231-3|pages= 24, 303|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=zUJEnSmj8SoC&q=Science+and+soccer+By+Thomas+Reilly,+A.+Mark+Williams&pg=PA1|accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref> However, there is an overwhelming tendency for the 11-most picked players in a squad to be shorter than their teammates, which could suggest a bias in the scouting system.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/jan/26/european-football-survey | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Jonathan | last=Wilson | title=Footballing trends in Europe: the long and the short of it – Jonathan Wilson | date=26 January 2011}}</ref>

For wide and attacking positions, the players are generally relatively shorter. Many of the world class players have been shorter than average to average and in many cases gained an advantage from their low centre of gravity. Examples include [[Lorenzo Insigne]], [[Ryan Fraser]], [[Sebastian Giovinco]] {{height|m=1.63}}, [[Bernard (footballer)|Bernard]], [[Ludovic Giuly]] {{height|m=1.64}}, [[Aaron Lennon]], [[Diego Maradona]], [[Marco Verratti]], [[Shaun Wright-Phillips]] {{height|m=1.65}}, [[Thomas Häßler]] {{height|m=1.66}}, [[Mathieu Valbuena]], [[Romário]] {{height|m=1.67}}, [[N'Golo Kanté]], [[Roberto Carlos]], [[Santi Cazorla]] {{height|m=1.68}}, [[Alexis Sánchez]], [[Garrincha]], [[Pedro (footballer, born July 1987)|Pedro]] {{height|m=1.69}}, [[David Silva]], [[Franck Ribéry]], [[Lionel Messi]], [[Paul Scholes]], [[Philipp Lahm]], [[Xavi (footballer, born 1980)|Xavi]] {{height|m=1.70}}, [[Andrés Iniesta]] {{height|m=1.71}}, [[Dani Alves]], [[Luka Modrić]], [[Philippe Coutinho]], [[Robinho]], [[Sergio Agüero]], [[Zico (footballer)|Zico]] {{height|m=1.72}}, [[Eden Hazard]], [[Michael Owen]], [[Bobby Charlton]] and [[Pelé]] {{height|m=1.73}}. However, height is considered advantageous for forwards who aim to score with their heads. Forwards who are particularly noted for their strength in the air include [[Lacina Traoré]] {{height|m=2.03}}, [[Jan Koller]], [[Nikola Žigić]] {{height|m=2.02}} and [[Peter Crouch]] {{height|m=2.01}}. Many of the world's best forwards and midfielders are taller than average, while still possessing a high all round level of technical ability, such as [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]] {{height|m=1.95}}, [[Nemanja Matić]] {{height|m=1.94}}, [[Luca Toni]], [[Patrick Vieira]] {{height|m=1.93}}, [[Sócrates]] {{height|m=1.92}}, [[Paul Pogba]] {{height|m=1.91}}, [[Frank Rijkaard]], [[Romelu Lukaku]] {{height|m=1.90}}, [[Sergio Busquets]], [[Yaya Touré]] {{height|m=1.89}}, [[Didier Drogba]], [[Eric Cantona]], [[Harry Kane]], [[Marco van Basten]], [[Michael Ballack]], [[Ruud Gullit]], [[Ruud van Nistelrooy]], [[Thierry Henry]] {{height|m=1.88}}, [[Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang]], [[Rivaldo]] {{height|m=1.87}}, [[Fernando Torres]] and [[Kaká]] {{height|m=1.86}}. Players like [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], [[Gareth Bale]], [[Robert Lewandowski]] and [[Zinedine Zidane]] {{height|m=1.85}}, with their height being seen as an advantage for their heading and physical ability, adding to their completeness, are desired for modern top-level forward and midfielder positions.

Height is often an advantage for [[defender (football)|central defenders]], who are assigned to stop forwards from scoring through the air, as exemplified by players like [[Matej Bagarić]] {{height|m=2.02}}, [[Per Mertesacker]] {{height|m=2.00}}, [[Brede Hangeland]], [[Jannik Vestergaard]]  {{height|m=1.99}}, [[Dan Burn]], [[Naldo (footballer, born 1982)|Naldo]] {{height|m=1.98}}, [[Daniel Van Buyten]] {{height|m=1.97}}, [[Sebastián Coates]] {{height|m=1.96}}, [[Joël Matip]] {{height|m=1.95}}, [[Christoph Metzelder]], [[Gerard Piqué]] {{height|m=1.94}}, [[Marco Materazzi]], [[Sami Hyypiä]], [[Virgil van Dijk]] {{height|m=1.93}}, [[Jérôme Boateng]], [[Laurent Blanc]], [[Mats Hummels]] {{height|m=1.92}}, [[Raphaël Varane]], [[Tony Adams]] {{height|m=1.91}}, [[Jaap Stam]], [[Leonardo Bonucci]], [[Nemanja Vidić]] and [[Vincent Kompany]] {{height|m=1.90}}. There are, however, central defenders who are not of above-average height, such as [[Héctor Chumpitaz]] {{Height|m=1.68}}, [[Daniel Passarella]], [[Iván Córdoba]] {{height|m=1.73}}, [[Javier Mascherano]] {{height |m=1.74}}, [[Fabio Cannavaro]], [[Franco Baresi]] {{height|m=1.76}}, [[Roberto Ayala]] {{height|m=1.77}}, [[Carles Puyol]] and [[Gaetano Scirea]] {{height|m=1.78}}. 

[[Goalkeeper (football)|Goalkeepers]] tend to be taller than average because their greater arm spans and total reach when jumping enable them to cover more of the goal area. Examples of particularly tall goalkeepers include [[Simon Bloch Jorgensen]] {{height|m=2.10}}, [[Kristof Van Hout]] {{height|m=2.08}}, [[Vanja Iveša]] {{height|m=2.05}}, [[Jason Mooney (Northern Irish footballer)|Jason Mooney]] {{height|m=2.04}}, [[Costel Pantilimon]] {{height|m=2.03}}, [[Zeljko Kalac]] {{height|m=2.02}}, [[Fraser Forster]], [[Goran Blažević]], {{height|m=2.01}}, [[Andreas Isaksson]] {{height|m=2.00}}, [[Asmir Begović]], [[Thibaut Courtois]] {{height |m=1.99}}, [[Maarten Stekelenburg]] {{height |m=1.98}}, [[Edwin van der Sar]] {{height|m=1.97}}, [[Dida (footballer, born 1973)|Dida]], [[Diego López Rodríguez|Diego López]], [[Joe Hart]], [[Petr Čech]] {{height|m=1.96}}, [[Vladimir Stojković]] and [[Wojciech Szczęsny]] {{height |m=1.95}}. In addition, there are examples of successful goalkeepers who are not significantly taller than average, such as [[Jorge Campos]] {{height|m=1.68}}, [[František Plánička]], [[Óscar Pérez Rojas|Óscar Pérez]] {{height|m=1.72}}, [[René Higuita]] {{height|m=1.76}}, [[Gyula Grosics]] {{height|m=1.78}} and [[Ladislao Mazurkiewicz]] {{height|m=1.79}}.

==Athletics==
Sedeaud et al. (2014) listed the following mean heights of male track athletes and runners by athletic event.<ref name="Sedeaud">{{cite journal |vauthors=Sedeaud A, Marc A, Marck A, Dor F, Schipman J, Dorsey M, Haida A, Berthelot G, Toussaint JF |title=BMI, a performance parameter for speed improvement |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=e90183 |date=2014 |pmid=24587266 |pmc=3934974 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0090183 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...990183S |doi-access=free }}</ref>

*[[Marathon]]: 171.9 ± 6.28 cm
*[[10,000 metres]]: 172.37 ± 6.44 cm
*[[3000 metres]]: 175.02 ± 6.55 cm
*[[400 metres]]: 182.75 ± 6.24 cm
*[[200 metres]]: 180.99 ± 6.17 cm
*[[100 metres]]: 179.20 ± 5.94 cm

Longer-distance events tend to be dominated by shorter runners, while shorter distances tend to have taller runners, since it is thought that blood circulates more easily around the body in shorter athletes than in taller athletes.

==Australian rules football==
[[Image:Spectacular mark by Irish player against South Africa.jpg|thumb|right|Height helps Australian rules footballers to gain "free kicks" from [[Mark (Australian football)|marking]] contests, perform [[Ruckman (Australian rules football)|ruckwork]], as well as key [[One percenter (Australian rules football)|attacking and defensive manoeuvres]].  Pictured is Irish international [[Mike Finn]] ({{height|m=2.00}}) taking a contested mark.]]

In [[Australian rules football|Australian rules]], a footballer's height is considered an advantage.  This is evidenced by statistics and trends from the professional ([[Australian Football League]]) level, including an average player height of {{height|m=1.88}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/25/1235237738878.html|title=The AFL and the lore of averages|website=Theage.com.au|date=26 February 2009|accessdate=28 May 2016}}</ref> as well as an ongoing trend in the recruitment of tall athletes from other sports, particularly basketball such as [[Dean Brogan]] at {{height|m=2.01}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-15/emulating-eric|title=Second USA Combine begins|work=afl.com.au|accessdate=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cordy|first=Neil|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/swans-sign-us-basketballer-alex-starling/story-e6frf9jf-1226253617207|title=Swans sign US basketballer Alex Starling|website=Heraldsun.com.au|date=25 January 2012|access-date=28 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230173248/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/swans-sign-us-basketballer-alex-starling/story-e6frf9jf-1226253617207|archive-date=30 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="punt">{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/port-signs-basketball-star/2009/10/21/1255891860737.html|title=Port takes a punt on basketball star|website=Thewage.com.au|date=22 October 2009|accessdate=28 May 2016}}</ref> and rugby football such as [[Mike Pyke]] at {{height|m=2.00}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/swans-give-canadian-mike-pyke-two-more-years/story-e6frf9jf-1225901020388 |title=Swans give Canadian Mike Pyke two more years |first=Al |last=Paton |newspaper=[[Herald Sun]] |date=4 August 2010 |accessdate=9 April 2012}}</ref>

In the sport, players frequently compete for possession of the ball above the shoulders.  Players gain "free kick"s from a [[Mark (Australian football)|marking]], that is, catching the ball in the air from a kick.  As such, height combined with a [[Vertical jump|vertical leap]] ability are advantageous attributes.  Long arms assist in marking and ruckwork and defensive spoiling and long legs add leverage for long distance kicking - all key components of the sport.

Each Australian rules football team has at least one [[Ruckman (Australian rules football position)|ruckman]], a specialist position requiring height and leap. Much like [[Center (basketball)|basketball centers]] these players contest first possession of the ball or "hit out" after each goal or when the ball bounces out of the playing arena. At professional AFL level, the average height of ruckmen is over {{height|m=2.00}} tall.<ref>Maine, Jim. "Aussie Rules For Dummies". pg 20</ref> In addition, "key position" players also gain significant advantage in height.  Attacking key positions such as [[centre half-forward]], such as [[Lance Franklin]] at {{height|m=1.99}} and [[full-forward]] such as [[Tom Hawkins (footballer, born 1988)|Tom Hawkins]] at {{height|m=1.98}} gain an advantage by being taller than their opponent [[centre half-back]] such as [[Heritier Lumumba]] at {{height|m=1.88}} and [[full-back (Australian rules football)|full-back]] such as [[Mal Michael]] at {{height|m=1.90}} and vice versa.

Shorter players may have an advantage in the "crumbing" role of retrieving the ball from the ground or utilising pace, power and bulk to evade opponents.  However taller players may also have these abilities and as such versatile talls (over {{height|m=1.85}} for example [[Trent Cotchin]], [[Chris Judd]], [[Jimmy Bartel]], [[Dustin Martin]] and [[Patrick Dangerfield]]) are often favoured by professional recruiters (such as in the [[AFL draft]]) for ball-winning, midfield and crumbing forward (forward pocket) roles that would have in the past been more suited to shorter players.<ref>Hanlon, Peter. [http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/little-man-has-high-hopes-of-making-it-in-the-vfl-20130306-2flpk.html#ixzz2QWsfJ95x "Little man has high hopes of making it in the VFL"] March 7, 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/09/11/1157826877262.html|title=AFL News, Ladder, Fixture, Scores & Tipping 2015 - Real Footy|website=Realfooty.theage.com.au|accessdate=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>Clark, John. [http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/bell-too-short-for-big-time/story-e6frf37c-1111118213095#ixzz2QWsxHeOX "Peter Bell says he is too short to be drafted by an AFL team these days"] FOX SPORTS December 03, 2008</ref>

At {{height|m=2.11}} [[Aaron Sandilands]], [[Mason Cox]] and [[Peter Street]] equal the tallest players to have played in the AFL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralianbookofrecords.com/r126-tallest_afl_players_-_aaron_sandilands_and_peter_street.php|title=Sport - Tallest AFL Players - Aaron Sandilands and Peter Street - The Australian Book of Records|website=Theaustralianbookofrecords.com|accessdate=28 May 2016}}</ref>

[[List of Brownlow Medal winners|Brownlow medal]] winners have ranged in height from [[Tony Liberatore]] at {{height|m=1.63}} to [[Scott Wynd]] at {{height|m=2.01}}.  In 2013, professional AFL players ranged {{height|m=1.73}} to {{height|m=2.11}}.<ref>{{cite web|author=FirstName |url=http://www.afl.com.au/stats |title=AFL Statistics & MARS Match-Ups |website=AFL.com.au |date= |accessdate=2016-05-28}}</ref>

==Baseball==
[[File:Jon Rauch and José Molina on June 5, 2011.jpg|thumb|right|[[Toronto Blue Jays]] teammates, {{height|ft=6}} [[catcher]] [[José Molina (baseball)|José Molina]] (left) and {{height|ft=6|in=11}} [[pitcher (baseball)|pitcher]] [[Jon Rauch]], in 2011]]
In baseball, height is considered especially advantageous for [[pitcher (baseball)|pitcher]]s and they are generally taller than other players. In 2019, the median height of pitchers in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) was {{height|ft=6|in=3}}. Pitcher height has increased steadily throughout the history of the league and that increase in size has correlated with an increase in pitch velocity.<ref name="velocity">{{cite news |last1=Sheinin |first1=Dave |title=Velocity is strangling baseball — and its grip keeps tightening |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/21/velocity-is-strangling-baseball-its-grip-keeps-tightening/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=May 21, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> A 2019 study of MLB pitchers in [[The Hardball Times]] suggested that, while height is helpful in increasing [[spin rate]] on pitches and inducing swinging strikes, pitchers saw diminishing benefits beyond {{height|ft=6|in=4}}.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ben-Porat |first1=Eli |title=The Increasing Importance of Pitcher Height |url=https://tht.fangraphs.com/the-increasing-importance-of-pitcher-height/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=[[The Hardball Times]] |date=20 March 2019}}</ref>

A 2020 study of [[college baseball]] pitchers found a significant positive correlation between absolute stride length in the [[Pitching position|pitching motion]] and pitch velocity.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Yanagisawa |first1=Osamu |last2=Taniguchi |first2=Hidenori |title=Relationship between stride length and maximal ball velocity in collegiate baseball pitchers |journal=Journal of Physical Therapy Science |date=September 1, 2020 |volume=32 |issue=9 |pages=578–83 |doi=10.1589/jpts.32.578 |pmid=32982054 |pmc=7509165 |issn=0915-5287}}</ref> However, stride length is not necessarily strongly correlated with pitcher height; smaller pitchers are able to compensate for their shorter limbs via mechanical adjustments.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lindbergh |first1=Ben |title=Pitches in Radar Gun Are Slower Than They Appear: Identifying Baseball's Perceived Velocity Kings |url=https://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-mlb-actual-versus-perceived-velocity-statcast-pitcher-data-carter-capps/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=[[Grantland]] |date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>

The tallest [[professional baseball]] player in history was [[Loek van Mil]], a Dutch pitcher who stood {{height|ft=7|in=1}}. He played fourteen seasons between [[Nippon Professional Baseball]], [[Minor League Baseball]], the [[Australian Baseball League]] and [[Honkbal Hoofdklasse]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Loek van Mil Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=vanmil001lud |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |publisher=[[Sports Reference]] |access-date=24 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The tallest players in MLB history are retired pitcher [[Jon Rauch]] and active pitcher [[Sean Hjelle]], both standing at {{height|ft=6|in=11}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=Remember That Guy: Jon Rauch is the tallest pitcher in MLB history |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/white-sox/remember-guy-jon-rauch-tallest-pitcher-mlb-history |access-date=24 March 2022 |publisher=[[NBC Sports]] |date=May 13, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019 and 2020, the average size of non-pitchers in MLB, weighted by games started, was {{height|ft=6|in=0.9}}. Taller players who do not pitch have customarily been assigned to play [[First baseman|first base]] because, according to traditional wisdom, they create larger targets and could stretch farther to receive throws from infielders.<ref name="Eddy">{{cite news |last1=Eddy |first1=Matt |title=The Shape Of Baseball Is Changing In 2021 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/the-shape-of-baseball-is-changing-in-2021/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=[[Baseball America]] |date=June 3, 2021}}</ref>

The shortest player in MLB history and the shortest known professional baseball player was [[Eddie Gaedel]], a {{height|ft=3|in=7}} dwarf who appeared in a single game for the [[St. Louis Browns]] in 1951 as a publicity stunt.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rovell |first1=Darren |title=Short on size, long on history |url=http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/s/2001/0816/1240553.html |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=[[ESPN.com]] |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=August 19, 2001}}</ref>

==Basketball==
Taller players are often thought to have an advantage in [[basketball]] because their shots have less distance to travel to the basket, they start closer to the [[Rebound (basketball)|rebound]], and their ability to reach higher into the air yields a better chance of blocking shorter players' shots.<ref name="idiots">''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Basketball'', p. 111, Walt Frazier and Alex Sachare, 1998. {{ISBN|0-02-862679-6}}.</ref>

Empirically, the over-representation of extremely tall athletes in basketball lends credence to the theory that the sport provides tall players with a very significant advantage. The average American male is {{height|ft=5|in=9.3}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s0209.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.census.gov |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017192844/http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s0209.pdf |archive-date=17 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Yet, in a 2007–08 player survey, the average player in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) was listed at {{height|ft=6|in=6}} in shoes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/news/survey_height_2007.html|title=NBA.com - 2007-08 Player Survey: Height|website=Nba.com|accessdate=28 May 2016}}</ref>

Players sometimes inflate their height. Prospects may exaggerate their height while in high school or college to make themselves more appealing to coaches and scouts, who prefer taller players. [[Charles Barkley]] stated, “I've been measured at 6-5, 6-4 ¾. But I started in college at 6-6.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/03/sports/basketball/diminutive-all-star-isaiah-thomas-finds-shoulders-to-stand-on.html|title = Diminutive All-Star Isaiah Thomas Finds Shoulders to Stand on|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 3 February 2016|last1 = Keh|first1 = Andrew}}</ref> Sportswriter [[Sam Smith (sportswriter)|Sam Smith]] said: “We sort of know the heights, because after camp, the sheet comes out. But you use that height, and the player gets mad. And then you hear from his agent. Or you file your story with the right height, and the copy desk changes it because they have the ‘official’ N.B.A. media guide, which is wrong. So you sort of go along with the joke.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/sports/basketball/22score.html|title = When Height Becomes a Tall Tale|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 22 June 2008|last1 = Liberman|first1 = Noah}}</ref>

Players sometimes understate their actual heights to avoid being moved to a different position. One example is [[Kevin Durant]], who was listed at {{height|ft=6|in=9}} for the majority of his career, while stating that his actual height is {{height|ft=7|in=0}}. Durant's reasoning was, “Really, that's the prototypical size for a [[small forward]]. Anything taller than that, and they'll start saying, ‘Ah, he's a [[power forward (basketball)|power forward]].”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/6/12/15773612/how-tall-kevin-durant-height-warriors|title=How tall is Kevin Durant?|date=12 June 2017}}</ref> In 2019, the [[Brooklyn Nets]] measured Durant at {{height|ft=6|in=9.5}} barefoot. As a result, he is currently listed at {{height|ft=6|in=10}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/10/18/kevin-durant-height|title = Kevin Durant's Official Height Listed as 6' 9 1/2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/players/kevin/durant/201142|title = Kevin Durant &#124; Brooklyn Nets|website = [[NBA.com]]}}</ref> Former MVP [[Kevin Garnett]] was listed at {{height|ft=6|in=11}} during his career, but is widely accepted to be {{height|ft=7|in=0}} tall, stating in a 2007 interview that he was "6 ft 11 and some quarters" tall. Former [[Los Angeles Lakers]] player [[Jerry West]] was listed as {{height|ft=6|in=3}}, but has stated that he is {{height|ft=6|in=4.5}} instead. It is suggested while usually players overstate height for scouting prospects and other perks, understating heights also serves a benefit in opposing teams underestimating the size of such players if they go by their listed size.{{cn|date=March 2022}}

Until the 2019–20 season,<ref name="height">{{Cite web|url=https://lastwordonprobasketball.com/2019/10/07/nba-player-height-updates/|title = NBA Player Height Updates|date = 7 October 2019}}</ref> the NBA did not have a standard regarding whether players were measured with or without shoes. The [[NBA Draft Combine]], which most players attend before the draft, provided both measurements. Thereafter, a player's team was solely responsible for their listed height, which varied depending on the process selected.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sherwood Strauss |first=Ethan |title=Kevin Love and height liars in shoes |date=December 29, 2011 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/34789/kevin-love-and-height-liars-in-shoes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211013036/http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/34789/kevin-love-and-height-liars-in-shoes |archive-date=February 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Goffinet |first=Larry |title=Shoes shouldn't count in measuring height |date=January 25, 2015 |newspaper=Perry County News |url=http://www.perrycountynews.com/content/shoes-shouldn’t-count-measuring-height |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208021928/http://www.perrycountynews.com/content/shoes-shouldn%E2%80%99t-count-measuring-height |archivedate=February 8, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The NBA instituted a new measuring standard starting with the 2019–20 season, measuring players without shoes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=N.B.A. Will Get to the Bottom of How Tall Its Players Are|date=September 26, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/sports/basketball/nba-height-age.html|accessdate=August 18, 2020}}</ref> Due to this change, the height of numerous players declined, from one to three inches, while others grew. Players who had their listed heights revised downwards include, [[Dwight Howard]], [[Bradley Beal]], [[J.J. Barea]], [[Kemba Walker]] and numerous others.<ref>{{cite news|last=Curtis|first=Charles|title=A running list of notable NBA players who grew and shrank thanks to new, official measurements|date=October 7, 2019|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/10/nba-heights-new-official-durant-zion|accessdate=August 18, 2020}}</ref>

==Bodybuilding==
In [[bodybuilding]], competitors are generally around average height or shorter depending upon class. Heights above {{height|ft=6|in=0}} are uncommon in open class bodybuilding and virtually nonexistent in 212, but are common in the classic physique division which emphasizes structure and aesthetics. In open bodybuilding height is often considered a disadvantage due to the fact that smaller bodies are better filled out compared to taller builds at the same weight. However, slightly taller competitors at the [[Mr. Olympia]] level tend to have the larger overall body mass and therefore draw the eye. Notable bodybuilders, who have held many titles, are [[Franco Columbu]] {{height|ft=5|in=5}}, [[Phil Heath]] {{height|ft=5|in=9}}, [[Jay Cutler (bodybuilder)|Jay Cutler]] {{height|ft=5|in=10}}, [[Ronnie Coleman]] {{height|ft=5|in=11}} and [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] {{height|ft=6|in=2}}.

==Cricket==
In [[cricket]], some past professional batsmen like [[Donald Bradman]] {{height|m=1.73}}, [[David Warner (cricketer)|David Warner]] {{height|m=1.70}}, [[Sachin Tendulkar]] {{height|m=1.65}} and [[Sunil Gavaskar]] {{height|m=1.65}} are below average height. This may be because a smaller body makes for an advantage in footwork and balance. Similarly [[wicketkeeper|wicket-keepers]] have tend to be average height or below. Although there are fewer tall batsmen, the stand-outs are often noted for their heavy hitting and an ability to get a long stride forward to reach a full length delivery. India's [[KL Rahul]] at {{height|m=1.85}}, Australia's [[Matthew Hayden]] at {{height|m=1.87}},  West Indies' [[Chris Gayle]] at {{height|m=1.90}}, and England's [[Kevin Pietersen]] at {{height|m=1.93}} are modern examples of powerful, tall batsman. Past batsmen like [[Clive Lloyd]], [[VVS Laxman]], and [[Graeme Pollock]] were well above {{height|m=1.83}}.

On the other hand, many of the most successful [[fast bowlers]] have been well above average height; for example  [[Curtly Ambrose]], [[Courtney Walsh]] and [[Joel Garner]] were all over {{height|m=1.97}} tall. Examples of bowlers well above average in height are [[Javagal Srinath]], [[Pat Cummins]], [[Shoaib Akhtar]], and [[Wasim Akram]] who measure {{height|m=1.91}}, {{height|m=1.92}}, {{height|m=1.83}}, and {{height|m=1.91}} respectively. Taller bowlers have access to a higher point of release, making it easier for them to make the ball bounce uncomfortably for a batsman. For extreme pace however, bowlers tend to be around {{height|m=1.80}} such as [[Umesh Yadav]], [[Malcolm Marshall]] and [[Jasprit Bumrah]] thus combining advantage of shorter lever arms for pace generation with good ball release height. Since round arm bowling does not gain much advantage from taller release height, round arm bowlers tend to be shorter such as the classic [[Lasith Malinga]] at {{height|m=1.73}} and [[Rashid Khan]] {{height|m=1.71}}. The fastest modern bowlers have ranged from [[Fidel Edwards]] {{height|m=1.73}} through to [[Brett Lee]] at {{height|m=1.87}}.

Height does not appear to be an advantage to spin bowling and few international spinners are ever much taller than {{height|m=1.80}}. Tall spin bowlers like [[Sulieman Benn]] {{height|m=2.01}} use extra pace and bounce, whereas spin is traditionally about using a looping, plunging trajectory at slow ({{convert|70|-|90|km/h|sigfig=1|abbr=on|disp=or}}) speeds. The most successful bowlers ever in Test cricket, [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] and [[Shane Warne]] are {{height|m=1.70}} and {{height|m=1.83}} respectively. For extracting steep bounce, height is useful for fast bowlers like [[Steven Finn]] {{height|m=1.98}} and [[Boyd Rankin]] {{height|m=2.03}}.

There are also [[all-rounders]] who are versatile in both batting and bowling. Examples of short all-rounders are [[Shakib Al Hasan]] at {{height|m=1.75}}, [[Ravindra Jadeja]] at {{height|m=1.73}}, and [[Dwayne Bravo]] at {{height|m=1.75}}. There are also tall all rounders like [[Yuvraj Singh]] at {{height|m=1.86}}, [[Ben Stokes]] at {{height|m=1.85}}, and [[Imad Wasim]] at {{height|m=1.87}}.

==Road Cycling==
Road cyclists can be of a variety of heights, but it often influences their specialties and roles. Taller cyclists tend to perform better at flat one-day races, such as the [[cobbled classics]], as absolute power is more relevant than power to weight ration in that context. In the early 2010s such races have been dominated by [[Tom Boonen]] {{height|m=1.92}} and [[Fabian Cancellara]] {{height|m=1.86}}.

Smaller cyclists on the other hand perform mountain stages of [[Grand Tour (cycling)|Grand Tours]]. Their higher power to weight ratio and endurance are the characteristics needed to perform well in long mountain stages that determine the final standings. Some examples of pure climbers are: [[Domenico Pozzovivo]] {{height|m=1.65}}, [[Nairo Quintana]] {{height|m=1.67}}, [[Gilberto Simoni]] {{height|m=1.70}} and [[Marco Pantani]] {{height|m=1.72}}. It should also be noted that, even though rarer taller riders can be exceptional climbers like [[Ivan Basso]] {{height|m=1.82}} and 4-times winner of the Tour de France [[Chris Froome]] {{height|m=1.86}}

Height does not appear to be too much of a factor in sprinting where tactics and both top power and acceleration are critical. Two of the greatest sprinters in history have been  [[Mario Cipollini]] {{height|m=1.89}} and [[Mark Cavendish]] {{height|m=1.75}}.

==Fencing==
In [[fencing]], all the spectrum of height has advantages, although tall people have an edge. Tall people have a greater arm span, which allows one's weapon to reach one's opponent's body from a further distance, mostly affecting their range of [[Lunge (fencing)|Lunge]]. Another advantage of being tall is that [[Attack (fencing)|attacks]] are easier to make more angulated.  However, there are also some advantages of being a shorter fencer. Shorter fencers generally have less target area to defend. Furthermore, if footwork abilities are equal, a smaller fencer finds it easier to co-ordinate their footwork when moving in and out of distance than taller opponents due to their lower center of balance. In certain instances they may have a slight advantage when infighting as they can retract and replace their weapon point with more ease.

It is important to remark that tall people height advantage is mitigated in [[Sabre (fencing)|sabre]] and [[Foil (fencing)|foil]], because those weapons have Right of Way rules.
Hitting first does not necessarily result in scoring, as a riposte may take precedence.

[[Épée]], where tall height poses a more distinct advantage, since the entire body is a target and it does not have Right of Way rules. It must be added that regardless of height, all blades have a standard length, therefore the zone of where the point could land to mark is the same for everyone, but as noted before, the range of effectiveness of attacks is superior on tall people. Though, average Europe height {{height|m=1.77}} people are winning Olympics competitions recently. Such as [[Rubén Limardo|Ruben Limardo]] {{height|m=1.75}} in London, 2012; [[Park Sang-young]] {{height|m=1.77}} in Rio, 2016 and Romain Cannone {{height|m=1.77}} in Tokyo, 2020.

Foil has notorious examples of world average height {{height|m=1.71}} fencers who have competed at the highest levels and won significant competitions. [[Heo Jun (fencer)|Heo Jun]] {{height|m=1.68}}, [[Erwann Le Péchoux]] {{height|m=1.70}}, [[Yuki Ota]] {{height|m=1.71}} and [[Valentina Vezzali]] {{height|m=1.64}} who used her small size and lower centre of gravity to confound taller opponents.

==Horse racing==
In [[horse racing]], it is a considerable advantage for a [[jockey]] to be both short and light. Having a jockey who is of short stature and light weight makes it easier for the horse to run at top speed without being weighed down. At the [[Kentucky Derby]], for example, a jockey cannot exceed 126 pounds, including his equipment.<ref name='kd'>
{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=Abby |date=6 May 2017 |title=How Much Do The Kentucky Derby Jockeys Weigh? |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/how-much-do-the-kentucky-derby-jockeys-weigh-56182 |work=Bustle |access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref> There is no specific height requirement,<ref name="kd"/> but due to the weight restrictions, most jockeys stand between {{height|ft=4|in=10}} and {{height|ft=5|in=6}}.<ref name="weight1">{{cite web|publisher=[[Animal Planet]]|url=http://animal.discovery.com/tv/jockeys/horse-racing/jockeys-101/general-facts.html|title=General Jockey Facts|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008170040/http://animal.discovery.com/tv/jockeys/horse-racing/jockeys-101/general-facts.html|archivedate=October 8, 2012}}</ref> Examples of successful jockeys are [[Frankie Dettori]] {{Height|ft=5|in=4}}, [[Calvin Borel]] {{Height|ft=5|in=4}}, [[Mario Gutierrez (jockey)|Mario Gutierrez]] {{height|ft=5|in=3}}, and [[Victor Espinoza]] {{height|ft=5|in=2}}.

==Ice hockey==
While the history of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) is filled with shorter players who achieved greatness ([[Theoren Fleury]], [[Martin St. Louis]]), and the highest scorer in NHL history, [[Wayne Gretzky]], is {{height|ft=6|in=0}} tall and played at {{convert|185|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, the physicality of the game has often put a premium on imposing players, particularly over {{convert|1.80|m|ftin|abbr=on}} tall and over {{convert|100|kg|lb|abbr=on}} ([[Chris Pronger]], [[Eric Lindros]], [[Mario Lemieux]]). Taller, bigger players have a longer reach, are able to engage in more aggressive body checking, and have greater leverage for shooting, particularly on a slap shot{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} (examples include [[Tyler Myers]] at {{height|ft=6|in=8}}, and [[Eric Staal]], [[Joe Thornton]], [[Rick Nash]], and [[Ryan Getzlaf]], all at {{height|ft=6|in=4}}.  Since the 2004−2005 lockout, rule changes in the NHL<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/nhl-enacts-rule-changes-creates-competition-committee/c-460134|title = NHL Enacts Rule Changes Creates Competition Committee}}</ref> have caused a trend towards more agile styles of play, allowing smaller players ([[Patrick Kane]], [[Johnny Gaudreau]], [[Tyler Johnson (ice hockey)|Tyler Johnson]]) to use their agility and puck skills to thrive.  This has resulted in greater diversity of player heights despite the league maintaining a generally constant average height, while the average player weight has generally decreased.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hockey-graphs.com/2015/02/19/nhl-player-size-from-1917-18-to-2014-15-a-brief-look/|title=NHL Player Size from 1917-18 to 2014-15: A Brief Look|date=19 February 2015}}</ref>  The average height of an NHL player is just over {{height|ft=6|in=1}} tall. [[Zdeno Chára]], at {{height|ft=6|in=9}}, is the tallest player ever to play in the NHL. In recent years, the height of goaltenders has increased as taller goaltenders can cover a larger portion of the goal when on their knees in the [[Butterfly style|butterfly]] goaltending style. [[Mikko Koskinen]] at {{height|ft=6|in=7}} is the tallest goaltender currently in the NHL.

==Judo==
In [[judo]], height can work both ways. The shorter person tends to have an advantage (both offensively and defensively) in hip throws, dropping techniques i.e. drop seoi nage and wrestling style pickups such as ura nage. A low [[center of gravity]] allows better position for these throws. Taller players have an advantage in sweeps because they can often use these maneuvers before getting in range of the shorter person's [[kuzushi]].  They can also use their long legs to their advantage with many ashi waza techniques and throws with a significance on legs such as uchi mata and harai goshi.  In ne waza (groundwork) having shorter limbs makes it more difficult to be submitted but also more difficult to use your legs to escape from hold downs.  In contrast being taller can help with escaping hold downs and certain submissions i.e., sangaku jime.  The 2013 judo rules somewhat shift or even out the advantages that shorter fighters had by no longer allowing leg grabs and no longer being allowed to prevent your opponent from taking grips.

==Mixed martial arts==
In [[mixed martial arts]], taller fighters have a distinct advantage in striking, because of their increased range. Shorter fighters on the other hand, tend to be stronger than taller opponents of equal weight and tend to pack a heavier punch. Shorter fighters can have the advantage while grappling defensively, if they are able to navigate their opponent's range.  Their lower centre of gravity makes it difficult to take them down with some techniques. Their shorter limbs make it harder to submit them, however this can also be a physical barrier to achieving and applying some leveraged positions.  For example, the guard, notwithstanding tactics and technique, generally favours longer limbs although a shorter body is easier to defend. While height is still regarded as an overall advantage, there have been many great fighters who are shorter than average such as [[Frankie Edgar]] or [[José Aldo]]. [[Fedor Emilianenko]], once widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight fighter in the world{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}, stands no more than {{height|ft=6|in=0}} and has defeated opponents mostly taller than him, including most imposing [[Choi Hong-man|Hong-man Choi]], who stands tall at {{height|ft=7|in=2}}

==Motorsports==
In many motorsports shorter stature and lower body weight can be advantageous. Lower height can lower the vehicle's center of gravity and reduce wind resistance. Lower weight can improve its power to weight ratio.

In the 21st century, 20 of the 24 [[Formula One]] seasons have been won by competitors shorter than {{height|m=1.80}}, including {{height|m=1.71}} [[Fernando Alonso]], {{height|m=1.74}} [[Michael Schumacher]] and [[Lewis Hamilton]], {{height|m=1.75}} [[Kimi Räikkönen]] and [[Sebastian Vettel]], and {{height|m=1.78}} [[Nico Rosberg]], with the exception of {{height|m=1.82}} [[Jenson Button]] and {{height|m=1.81}} [[Max Verstappen]]. In 2021, active Formula 1 racing drivers heights range between {{height|m=1.59}} (Tsunoda) and {{height|m=1.85}} (Russell and Latifi), with an average of {{height|m=1.77}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=F1 2021 drivers' height and weight |url=https://racingnews365.com/2021-f1-drivers-height-and-weight |website=Racing News 365 |access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref>

As F1 has strict size regulations for cars, designing cars for shorter drivers is easier. Shorter drivers also tend to be lighter which is seen as an advantage. This advantage has changed from season to season as [[FIA]] has altered the rules for the minimum weight of the cars.

==Rowing==
In [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]], height is advantageous, because the taller a rower is, the longer his or her stroke can potentially be, thus moving the boat more effectively. The average male Olympic rower is {{height|m=1.92}}, and the average female Olympic rower is {{height|m=1.73}},<ref name="Physiology of the Elite Rower">{{cite web|url=http://home.hia.no/~stephens/rowphys.htm |title=Physiology of the Elite Rower |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414202424/http://home.hia.no/~stephens/rowphys.htm |archivedate=April 14, 2009 }}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=December 2009}} well over the average height.

However, for the coxswain of the boat, it is advantageous to be shorter since having a lower body mass would contribute to a faster time for the overall crew. Most of the successful Olympic and Paralympic coxswains ([[Katelin Guregian]], [[Phelan Hill]]) are shorter in stature and lighter in mass hitting close to the international minimum at 55&nbsp;kg for both men and women's crews (Both genders have adopted 55&nbsp;kg by an amendment by FISA to make coxswains gender-neutral on the international level. Previously, coxswains for women's teams had a 45&nbsp;kg weight minimum).

==Rugby==

=== Rugby league ===
Height is not generally seen as an important attribute in [[rugby league]], often with extreme height being a hindrance rather than useful.<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Gabbett T, Kelly J, Pezet T |title=Relationship between physical fitness and playing ability in rugby league players |journal=Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research |volume=21 |issue=4 |pages=1126–33 |date=November 2007 |pmid=18076242 |doi=10.1519/R-20936.1|s2cid=20227110 }}</ref> However, recent tactics of cross-field kicking have resulted in the success of taller outside backs.

A survey of 121 senior player for the Australian Newcastle Knights team, in 2006, found the average player was 182.1&nbsp;cm (range 169–198&nbsp;cm), with an average mass of 93&nbsp;kg (range 73–127&nbsp;kg)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Clark|first1=Lee|title=Anthropometric and physical characteristics of rugby league players by grade and position [manuscript] / Lee Clark|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/34958386?selectedversion=NBD42318122|website=trove.nla.gov.au|publisher=University of Newcastle (N.S.W.). School of Biomedical Science|accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref>

Fullbacks and halfbacks such as [[Andrew Johns]] {{height|m=1.81}}, [[Billy Slater]] {{height|m=1.78}}, [[Brett Hodgson]] {{height|m=1.75}}, [[Cooper Cronk]] {{height|m=1.78}}, [[Darren Lockyer]] {{height|m=1.78}}, [[Hazem El Masri]] {{height|m=1.78}}, [[Johnathan Thurston]] {{height|m=1.79}}, [[Kurt Gidley]] {{height|m=1.78}}, [[Rhys Wesser]] {{height|m=1.75}} and [[Scott Prince]] {{height|m=1.77}} are usually average height due to their speed and agility.

[[Greg Inglis]] {{height|m=1.95}}, [[Israel Folau]] {{height|m=1.94}}, [[Shaun Kenny-Dowall]] {{height|m=1.94}}, [[Mark Gasnier]] {{Height |m=1.93}}, [[Jarryd Hayne]] {{height|m=1.90}}, [[Colin Best]] {{Height |m=1.89}}, [[Manu Vatuvei]] {{Height |m=1.89}}, [[Krisnan Inu]] {{height|m=1.85}} and [[Jason Nightingale]] {{height|m=1.83}} are examples of the trend in taller wingers and centres.

=== Rugby union ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Lineout Throw.jpg|thumb|Locks are tall and typically the target of a rugby lineout.]] -->
In [[rugby union]], lineout jumpers, generally [[Lock (rugby union)|locks]], are usually the tallest players, as this increases their chance of winning the ball, whereas [[Scrum-half (rugby union)|scrum-halves]] are usually nearer the average. As examples, current world-class locks [[Chris Jack]], [[Paul O'Connell]], [[Richie Gray (rugby union, born 1989)|Richie Gray]] and [[Victor Matfield]] are all at least {{height|m=1.98}}, while [[George Gregan]], a scrum half who has 139 international appearances with Australia, is {{height|m=1.73}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugby.com.au/players/wallabies/2007_squad/2007_rwc_squad/gregan_george,62575.html |title=George Gregan |publisher=rugby.com.au |date=1973-04-19 |accessdate=2011-01-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606231720/http://www.rugby.com.au/players/wallabies/2007_squad/2007_rwc_squad/gregan_george%2C62575.html |archivedate=June 6, 2011 }}</ref>

==Sailing==
When [[sailing]] small [[Dinghy sailing|dinghies]] (rather than keelboats), the crew [[Hiking (sailing)|hiking]] or [[Trapeze (sailing)|trapezing]] - essentially hanging off the side - is an important factor in keeping the boat upright and sailing it fast. A tall sailor can get their centre of gravity further out, thus providing more righting moment. For example, in the [[470 (dinghy)|470]] class, only the crew is on trapeze, so it is beneficial to have a taller crew and a smaller skipper (because the boat requires a light overall weight). Australia's top crew of [[Mathew Belcher]] and [[Malcolm Page (sailor)|Malcolm Page]] exemplify this at {{height|m=1.73}} and {{height|m=1.85}} respectively.

==Shooting==
In shooting sports, a shorter shooter can maintain better balance when standing for long periods of time holding a gun, as well as keep their gun steady.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}

==Sumo==
Professional sumo wrestlers are required to be at least {{height|m=1.73}} tall.<ref name=sumo/> Some aspiring sumo athletes have silicone implants added to the tops of their heads to reach the necessary height.<ref name=sumo>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoverychannelasia.com/sumo/world_famous_sumos/index.shtml |title=Discovery Channel South East Asia |publisher=Discoverychannelasia.com |accessdate=2011-01-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610011748/http://www.discoverychannelasia.com/sumo/world_famous_sumos/index.shtml |archivedate=June 10, 2008 }}</ref> The average height for a sumo wrestler is {{height|m=1.80}}, far above the national average in Japan. 

==Swimming==
Elite swimmers are generally taller than the populations at large, indicating that height confers a competitive advantage. A main factor in swimming is the amount of [[drag (physics)|drag]] the swimmer has to overcome when swimming. Drag is composed of [[pressure drag]], [[friction drag]], and [[wave-making resistance]].

<math display="block">D_{total} = D_{pressure} + D_{friction} + D_{wave-making}</math>

The pressure drag is related to cross section size, the friction drag is related to total skin surface (which is generally higher in tall people), and the wave-making drag ''decreases'' with body length because a longer body will generally generate less waves due to a decreasing [[Froude number]]. Studies have found that total drag does not increase as swimmer height increases, mostly due to the decrease in wave-making drag. Since taller swimmers tend to have bigger muscles and bigger hands and feet to propel them, then they are generally at an advantage.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cx22TcXodrwC&q=Froude+number+tall+swimmer&pg=PA642|title=Exercise and Sport Science|isbn=9780683034219|accessdate=28 May 2016|last1=Garrett|first1=William E.|last2=Kirkendall|first2=Donald T.|year=2000|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins }}</ref>

An example of a tall swimmer is [[Michael Phelps]], at {{height|m=1.93}} who won 8 gold medals at the [[2008 Olympic Games]]. The average height of the eight finalists in the 100 meter Freestyle final at the US Olympic Trials was {{height|m=1.95}}. Another exceptionally tall swimmer is [[Michael Groß]], a German great of the 1980s who is {{height|m=2.01}} with an [[arm span]] of {{height|m=2.13}}. Notable exceptions for shorter swimmers, are Japanese [[Kosuke Kitajima]], who at {{height|m=1.77}} is much shorter, and with a more slender build, than a typical Olympic champion swimmer, has achieved astounding results in breaststroke, and [[Ricardo Prado]], a Brazilian medley swimmer of the 1980s, who at {{height|m=1.68}} held a world record and a world title for 400 metres medley for a number of years.

==Taekwondo==
In [[taekwondo]], a taller height gives the advantage of having a longer range and increased chance to strike a target when sparring. However, due to the length of the kicks, combinations and reflexes will not be as quick when compared with a fighter standing at a shorter height. A shorter height will also increase a lower centre of gravity giving a fighter better balance. {{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}

==Tennis==
Height is advantageous to a tennis player as it allows players to create more power when serving as well as giving players a greater arm span, allowing them to get to sharp-angled shots more easily and a greater chance of returning a lobbed shot. However, being tall can have some disadvantages, such as difficulty bending down to reach low volleys or striking shots close to the abdomen, as well as generally slower movement and defensive skills.

Examples of very tall players are [[Ivo Karlović]] and [[Reilly Opelka]] both {{height|ft=6|in=11}}, [[John Isner]] {{height|ft=6|in=10}}, [[Kevin Anderson (tennis)|Kevin Anderson]] {{height|ft=6|in=8}}, [[Juan Martín del Potro]] and [[Marin Čilić]] both {{height|ft=6|in=6}}, all known for their powerful serves.

The [[Big Four (tennis)|Big Four]] all measure above {{height|ft=6|in=0}}, but not exceedingly in the way to those mentioned prior. [[Rafael Nadal]] and [[Roger Federer]] both stand {{height|ft=6|in=1}}, [[Novak Djokovic]] {{height|ft=6|in=2}}, and [[Andy Murray]] {{height|ft=6|in=3}}. Other top greats of the game in the 21st century have been tall players, such as [[Andy Roddick]] {{height|ft=6|in=2}} and [[Gustavo Kuerten]] {{height|ft=6|in=3}}.

[[Lindsay Davenport]] {{height|m=1.89}}, [[Maria Sharapova]] {{height|m=1.88}}, [[Dinara Safina]] and [[Venus Williams]] both {{height|m=1.85}} are successful tall players on the women's side.

For both sexes, there have also been some successful players with lesser height, like [[Billie Jean King]] {{height|m=1.64}}, [[Justine Henin]] {{height|m=1.67}}, [[Chris Evert]] {{height|m=1.68}}, [[Pancho Segura]] {{height|ft=5|in=6}}, [[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]]
{{height|m=1.69}}, [[Rod Laver]] {{height|ft=5|in=8}}, and [[Michael Chang]] {{height|ft=5|in=9}}. Shorter players continue to thrive. Present-day examples include [[Dominika Cibulková]] {{height|m=1.60}}, [[Sara Errani]] {{height|m=1.64}}, [[Simona Halep]] {{height|m=1.68}}, [[Diego Schwartzman]] {{height|ft=5|in=7}}, [[David Ferrer]] {{height|ft=5|in=9}}, [[Fabio Fognini]] and [[Kei Nishikori]] both {{height|ft=5|in=10}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/22/sports/tennis/wimbledon-2014-shorter-players-can-thrive-too.html|title=In Today's Power Game, Shorter Players Thrive With Quick Wits and Feet|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 21, 2014|accessdate=October 14, 2015}}</ref>
[[Serena Williams]] the sister of Venus has been far more successful than her despite being a lot shorter at {{height|m=1.75}} (tall for a woman and comparable to the average US man, but not exceptionally tall for her sport) and is the most successful female player in the open era at 23 major titles.

==Volleyball==
In volleyball, above average height is an advantage, because it would be easier for them to attack or block the ball. Volleyball is a mixture of speed, skills, and tactics, a typical team consist of players of varying height to cater for the specific roles required. The introduction of the [[Libero (volleyball)|libero]] since 1998 has developed the need for agile and quick-moving players who are generally of a shorter stature than other positions. In professional volleyball, the men's height generally falls between {{height|m=1.78}} to {{height|m=2.10}}, while for women it ranges between {{height|m=1.68}} and {{height|m=1.95}}. Thus, most of them are above average height.

==Weightlifting==
In [[Olympic weightlifting|weightlifting]], shorter levers are advantageous and taller than average competitors usually compete in the {{convert|105|kg|lb|abbr=on}} + group. Short people also have a lower consumption of [[adenosine triphosphate|ATP]] and [[glycogen]] than a tall person to make the same proportional effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/how_tall_guys_get_jacked |title=How Tall Guys Get Jacked |publisher=t-nation.com |date= 20 October 2009|accessdate=2012-02-15}}</ref> So at professional level, it is more advantageous to have short stature.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Human height]]