The Impact Running Has on Muscles

By Cliff Pape

People usually have two main reason why they run for exercise. They usually run to burn fat, and improve their cardio conditioning. Running however, impacts the body in other ways. One area usually overlooked is its impact on muscles.

Running can definitely have an impact on the body, and it can be positive or negative depending on how you go about the process. When you are running, you will need to use the proper method of running that will improve and enhance you muscles in a positive manner.

You impact all the muscles groups in the body when you run, it does not just affect the legs like most assume. So when you are running to workout, you are developing your body as well. You will burn excess fat, because running is known for shredding fat like few other exercises can. This is why many runners have such a desirable and amazing physique.

However, it is important to point out that when you overdo it with running, you can end up burning your own muscles as fuel. This means you will end up decreasing the amount of muscle mass you carry. Why does this occur? The reason is that when you run for too long of a duration or with too elevated of a heart rate, your body will opt to shift from primarily burning carbs and fat and into the realm of burning muscle.

When this happens, the result on a physique can be disastrous. Specifically, the runner can end up with a very thin physique with literally no muscle mass. Clearly, that is not the look people would want to embody in their appearance.

Of course, there are ways out there to avoid burning muscle when you run. First way being cutting the duration of your workouts. Also, training in aerobics heart rate stage opposed to anaerobic stage is advisable. This is a safer way to train since anaerobic training results in an incredibly high heart rate.

Increase protein intake is also highly advised when you are running. Muscle is a form of protein, and adding protein will ensure muscle mass in maintained. Just make sure not to overdo it with protein shakes since they have a high calorie count.

And it does not hurt to add a little weightlifting to your workout routine. If running burns up muscle, you can always lift heavy weights to rebuild some of the muscle mass that has been lost. You do not even have to lift an enormous amount of weight as even moderate amounts can deliver excellent results. - 31828

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