FEW PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES INSPIRE THE DEVOTION that avid runners have for running. Millions lace up their sneakers and run for miles on end each day, and the fitness experts at Fitbit note that running is the most popular activity in the world. Some of the positive effects of the sport include: Running and heart health
Running generally has a positive effect on heart health. The heart is a muscle, and much like weight training can help strengthen muscles like biceps and triceps, running can strengthen the heart and make it more efficient. Cardiologists with the Copenhagen City Heart Study noted that jogging increases oxygen uptake, which makes it easier for the heart to pump a larger amount of blood and do its job more easily.
Running and mental health Runners may feel good after running because physical activity increases levels of endocannabinoids in the bloodstream. Higher levels of endocannabinoids may promote shortterm responses like reduced anxiety and a greater feeling of calm. This is an important distinction, as runners who don’t feel runner’s high after a long run should know that they’re likely still gaining some mental benefit from running, even if a long run makes them feel more nauseous than euphoric.
Running and brain power
The activity also has been found to benefit brain power. Researchers at the University of Ulm in Germany found that individuals who jogged for 30 minutes per day three times a week benefitted from a substantial improvement in concentration and visual memory. ✲
