Veronica Kordmany
Editor '18
The world is filled with runners. The fact that they encompass every square foot of the Earth is irrefutable, yet hard to wrap around the mind. Students running from class to class, adults sweating on the gym treadmills. Regardless of gender, age, size, or race, there is one question that brings them all together on the same universal platform: Who is the better runner: The long-distance runner, or the shorter-distance runner? And what differentiates them?
Men’s Fitness says that long distance runners tend to be better learners, as scientists have discovered that the same bodily process which helps fuel the body efficiently, making running easier, also improves memory and learning. This enables them to learn a second language easily, absorb more information in school, and obviously poses a fun challenge for them to lose more weight and stay healthier. In parallel to these facts, short-distance runners tend to be more relaxed, and better at retaining memories. Additionally, sprinting has been proven to increase production of cells in the hippocampus area of the brain, resulting in a better balance of hormones.
Elementary schools generally incorporate an average of 40-80 minutes of running and sports that involve running per day. But why? A child’s brain undergoes the most integral brain development during these years; running has been proven to boost the cells involved in this phase, especially sprinting, which is how kids usually run.
While many may consider their short-span endurances to be a curse, sprinting actually builds up a runner’s endurance. Studies on physical health show that sprinting increases glucose/insulin levels, as well as lowers the risk of heart disease through the fast-twitch muscles that build up over time. Fitday says that through continuous sprinting and training exercises, the body naturally increases its diaphragm of oxygen containment.
Regardless of their abilities, everyone can be a runner. Whether they start off with sprinting workouts and graduate to distance exercises, or maybe vice-versa, all it takes is a good mindset and a positive outlook to start the journey through the running process.
Editor '18
The world is filled with runners. The fact that they encompass every square foot of the Earth is irrefutable, yet hard to wrap around the mind. Students running from class to class, adults sweating on the gym treadmills. Regardless of gender, age, size, or race, there is one question that brings them all together on the same universal platform: Who is the better runner: The long-distance runner, or the shorter-distance runner? And what differentiates them?
Men’s Fitness says that long distance runners tend to be better learners, as scientists have discovered that the same bodily process which helps fuel the body efficiently, making running easier, also improves memory and learning. This enables them to learn a second language easily, absorb more information in school, and obviously poses a fun challenge for them to lose more weight and stay healthier. In parallel to these facts, short-distance runners tend to be more relaxed, and better at retaining memories. Additionally, sprinting has been proven to increase production of cells in the hippocampus area of the brain, resulting in a better balance of hormones.
Elementary schools generally incorporate an average of 40-80 minutes of running and sports that involve running per day. But why? A child’s brain undergoes the most integral brain development during these years; running has been proven to boost the cells involved in this phase, especially sprinting, which is how kids usually run.
While many may consider their short-span endurances to be a curse, sprinting actually builds up a runner’s endurance. Studies on physical health show that sprinting increases glucose/insulin levels, as well as lowers the risk of heart disease through the fast-twitch muscles that build up over time. Fitday says that through continuous sprinting and training exercises, the body naturally increases its diaphragm of oxygen containment.
Regardless of their abilities, everyone can be a runner. Whether they start off with sprinting workouts and graduate to distance exercises, or maybe vice-versa, all it takes is a good mindset and a positive outlook to start the journey through the running process.