5 Running Myths Debunked
Understandably, runners want to do doing everything they can to get a natural, competitive edge in their running. Efficiency and effectiveness are the name of the game when practicing, but what happens when dubious word-of-mouth and hearsay become fact? Well, then we have the possibility of a myth (and even worse, the prospect of time wasted)!
So what is truth, and what is hyperbole? Here are a few runners myths that we want you to be aware of:
MYTH: Running Is Bad for Your Knees
Conventional wisdom tells us that the more you put your body through, the more likely it is chronic injury rears it's ugly head. Though this is true when it comes to tough contact sports, more research over the past few years is starting to show that the same for running may not apply. Consider a study done by Stanford University, as covered by TIME Magazine, where 1,000 runners and non runners were tracked for 21 years. By the time the study had concluded, it was found that the runners faced no better or worse health to their knees as compared to non runners.
MYTH: I Can Eat Whatever I Want
Well, not exactly. The attitude of "I will run it off" is not the most beneficial way to live out your days. An edition of Missouri Medicine found that "50 men who had run at least one marathon a year for 25 years had higher levels of coronary-artery plaque than a control group of sedentary men.," as reported by The Wall Street Journal, showing there's not necessarily always a correlation between running, and guaranteed good health.
Take it from long time marathon runner, Dave McGillivray, who in the same articles states had become embarrassed to suggest chocolate chip cookies as a recipe in his runner's recipe book after finding out, that at 59, he had coronary artery disease. Eat well, be well.
MYTH: You Peak in your 20s
Not necessarily. It really depends on the type of running you're doing. Perhaps in sprinting, or cross-country, this would be the case, but for runners who are interested in endurance? Peak age looks to be a bit older than that. According to a 2012 Swiss study that included over 19,000 competitors in the Ironman Switzerland event -- which entails a 2.4-mile swim, 26-mile run and a 112 mile bike-ride -- the average age of the best performing athletes was 30 to 38 for women, and 30 to 36 for men. Women peaked at 36 whereas men peaked at 31. So good news for those who are getting a later start in the endurance running world!
MYTH: Barefoot Running Reduces Injuries
Barefoot running has become a bit of a trend lately for the various minimalist benefits that runners have swore by, but does the science back it up? Not according to a study by the Journal of Applied Physiology, which looked into whether landing closer to the front of the foot when you run is more efficient, and thereby more effective, than landing first on your heel -- a concept which is at the crux of minimalist, barefoot running. The result of the study found that there was no significant difference either way.
MYTH: There is a Specific Diet
Athletes and runners alike want to feel like they're putting the best ingredients into their body for optimal performance. But is there one diet that reigns supreme for all runners alike? Not likely. As a matter of fact, most people probably require different food to maintain tip-top shape. According to new research conducted by Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel via ScienceDaily, "healthy" foods may vary from person to person. Though there are obvious "good" and "bad" foods, it's likely due to the complex nature of the human body that not everything may work for everyone in the same way.
