Running delivers a myriad of benefits for your fitness and your health.
A study published in Psychonomic Bulletin and Review showed that running can be good for the heart, legs, and lungs, while also boosting memory.
But as running continues to rise in popularity, so does the amount of information, and misinformation, about running.
We set out to dispel the rumors so you can hit the pavement (or the track, the trails, etc.) with confidence.
4 RUNNING MYTHS TO STOP BELIEVING
1. You Must Stretch Before You Run
You may have been told about the importance of stretching before a good workout in order to prevent injuries. However, a study conducted by the USA Track and Field and Simon Fraser University found that there was no real statistical difference in the risk of injury among groups that did a pre-stretch before running and those who did not.
While there’s no harm in stretching beforehand, it is not as necessary as once believed. And by skipping the stretch before your run, you can save some overall workout time. Feel free to add this time saver to our list of time-saving fitness hacks.
2. Runners Don’t Need To Strength Train
This cannot be further from the truth. As primarily a lower-body exercise, running relies heavily on leg and foot strength. In addition, the pounding on your joints from running makes it that much more important to have strong legs and feet in order to reduce the chance of injury. Thus, strength training is essential to building the strong foundation of muscles and joints that propel and support you during your runs.
In addition to preventing injury, stronger legs mean a faster pace. This is why professional marathon runners incorporate weight training in their routine. To quickly boost your running pace, and reduce the risk or injury, trying adding 3-5 sets each of squats, lunges and leg presses to your weekly exercise plan.
3. Running Barefoot Is Good For You
This has been a highly debated topic for a while now, and although there have been claims for and against this running style, the British Journal of Sports Medicine has conducted research showing how detrimental barefoot running can be. The study showed an increase in the number of injuries sustained to the plantar surface of the foot and to the calf. So, make sure to run with shoes that have at least some cushioning to avoid the risk of injuries.
4. Running Is Bad For Your Knees
Actually, the opposite is true. Studies by the National Center for Biotechnology Information have shown how there really isn’t any increased risk of knee injuries amongst runners. In fact, additional studies conducted by NCBI show how running makes the cartilage in the knee more resistant to wear and tear. So, while running may not build much muscle mass, it certainly does build up your knee joint.
Now that we’ve cleared up some of those running myths, you can lace up your shoes and make the most of your running routine.
While you’re at it, turn up the Motion Traxx running music podcast and boost your run with free tunes designed to drive your feet to the beat!
Happy Running,
Deekron ‘The Fitness DJ’
