Genetics may cap your running speed, a new study suggests.
“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But I don’t think that’s the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you’re going to while away the years, it’s far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive than in a fog, and I believe running helps you do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as well. I believe many runners would agree.”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
RUNNING OR JOGGING OFFERS MANY HEALTH BENEFITS. You can build stronger bones with these physical activities serving as a weight-bearing exercise. Moreover, you can improve your cardiovascular fitness, burn some calories, and strengthen your muscles.
Do you run? If yes, do you wonder why you have trouble improving your race times? Now comes news that our genetics aims to have us run at energy-efficient speeds to preserve calories.
On the other hand, there may be means for you to train your body to jump over this genetic glass ceiling.
Genetics and running speed
“I’m often asked what I think about as I run. Usually the people who ask this have never run long distances themselves. I always ponder the question. What exactly do I think about when I’m running? I don’t have a clue.”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
How many times have I tried to will my body to run faster? It always seemed to be a bit of an uphill battle.
Researchers from Stanford University (USA) and Queens University (Canada) combined data from runners monitored in a lab and 37,000 runs recorded on wearable fitness trackers.
Our natural biology may program us to optimize our energy use (and conserve calories), helping to explain why it has been so challenging for me to improve my time.
While the scientists had examined running mechanics for 15 years in the laboratory, this study represented their first look at running in the field.
Now the mind-blowing findings:
While we assume we run faster for shorter distances and slower for longer distances, this did not appear true in the study. Most runners ran at the same speed, irrespective of the running distance.
Please use this free link to my piece on Medium.com to learn more:
