Running Facts

Running Facts

Here are lots of little running tid bits that you may help....

I'm always saying little steps, little steps..now here is another reason why shortening your stride is better

*When runners shorten their stride during a 5km run, the impact from their footfalls is lowered which means that they drop their risk of bone damage by 33%

Compression garments do work

*Sprinters have reported 43% less soreness during a 24 hours of recovery from a sprint workout, than their counterparts who didn't wear the compression garments

* Runners who wear the knee high compression socks ran 6.1% faster on a treadmill than runners wearing normal socks

Running does make your bones stronger

*The bone mineral content in the Tibia (lower leg bone, shin) of a male sprinter is 15.2% higher (meaning stronger) than a sedentary male

Short interval Training does work

*Sprinting for 8 seconds and jogging for 12 seconds over 20mins, burns up to 5 times more fat than 40 mins of jogging at the one speed..see my whistle doesn't seem so bad now does it???

Running Backwards can Prevent Injury!!

*After being amazed by the backwards running marathon guy at Gold Coast this year, I have since found out that backwards running is good for you and can prevent injury. It develops more balanced, stronger, leg muscles..however I don't think that counts when you crash into somone or something because you cannot see where you are going!

Taller runners are less efficient than Short runners

*even if the taller runners weight is the same as the shorter runner they will still find it harder as taller people have longer, heavier bones and it costs more energy to lug those bones around, hence the reason some of the best endurance runners in the world are pip squeaks!

Running too much can make you sick

*research shows that runners who log more than 80kms a week can double their risk of illness, especially upper respiratory illness. However, running a moderate 30-50km a week boosts your immune system and will keep you well.

Running is more effective than diet and some medications at reducing your blood pressure

*Running for 45mins to an hour can decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings by 10-12mgs.However if your blood pressure is already in the healthy range, it should not measure a change.

It's your mum not your dad who determines if you will be a good endurance runner

*Approx 30% of your cardio fitness ability can be traced to genetic disposition but, not from dad, it comes from the egg, not the sperm!!