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Many of us want to get fitter and lose weight. One of the most popular ways to do this is to take up running. While most people are aware that running improves physical fitness and increases quality of life, there are a number of other benefits to running that are not quite so obvious. Check out this gallery to find out some of the lesser-known benefits of running.
When we think of the ways in which exercise can improve our health, better eyesight is not usually what first springs to mind. Evidence suggests, however, that running can help prevent eyesight degeneration.
According to a study from Emory University, running increases the protective power of retinal neuron production.
Running provides a fun and cost-effective solution for those battling eyesight degeneration.
While it's obvious to most that running promotes weight loss and produces a leaner figure, it's less obvious that having a leaner figure can actually increase the enjoyability of physical exercise.
In a study published by the 'International Journal of Obesity' it was shown that the leaner a body gets, the more the brain will associate working out with pleasure.
To put it another way, the more you run, the more likely you are to stay active and enjoy other physical activities, like cycling or swimming.
For a long time, it was thought that running had a negative impact on our joints. Elite runners often find themselves refuting claims that their favorite sport can cause arthritis in their hips, knees, and ankles. Claims that running causes arthritis are, however, inaccurate.
According to a 2013 study by the Life Sciences Division, "long-distance running does not increase the risk of osteoarthritis of the knees and hips for healthy people."
Furthermore, the same study showed that long-distance running "might even have a protective effect against joint degeneration."
As bizarre as it may sound, a 2014 study published in The BMJ shows that the spouses of runners are likely to have better heart health than the spouses of non-runners.
Whether this is due to the active lifestyle of the runner rubbing off on the spouse or something more complex, this is certainly one of the more unexpected benefits of running.
The transferable cardiac benefits of marathon training are just one in a long list of reasons to date a runner!
While the impact of gestational exercise on an unborn baby’s brain remains to be fully understood, early studies have shown that physically active women put their children at an advantage when it comes to brain development.
Exercise can increase the activity and robustness of a baby’s perirhinal cortex—the memory and sensory area of the brain.
A mother need only exercise for 20 minutes a day, at an exertion level of six out of 10, for her baby to reap the benefits.
Just as long-distance runners spend a lot of time dispelling the myth that their hobby is bad for their joints, so too do they have to convince others that running is not bad for their bones.
According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol, individuals who perform high impact activities on a regular basis have noticeably stronger hip bones.
Running is considerably higher impact than other activities such as Zumba or step aerobics, and it makes for denser (and therefore stronger) bones.
Evidence shows that running will help to keep you smarter for longer.
According to a 2012 study published in Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, regular exercise helps to defeat the mental decline that comes with age.
With running also offering elderly people a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, it is a very popular exercise form amongst the older generation.
It may not be possible to cure cancer with running, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that running can help to prevent it.
In a large-scale review of 170 epidemiological studies in the Journal of Nutrition, regular exercise was associated with a lower risk of certain cancers.
Furthermore, those suffering with cancer can alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy by running (with their doctor’s consent).
While it's perfectly possible to enjoy running alone, many find it more fun to run with others.
There are a huge number of running clubs out there that are always happy to welcome newcomers.
Running will also increase confidence and, therefore, willingness to put yourself out there.
As you run more and more, you’re likely to want to run in different places. Fortunately, running clubs often go on tours abroad.
Running in a different landscape can provide just the change of scenery you need.
The many marathons that take place in different countries across the world provide the perfect excuse to travel.
See also: Healthy eating: give your diet an extreme makeover!
10 lesser-known benefits of running
Discover some surprising positives of running
LIFESTYLE Health
Many of us want to get fitter and lose weight. One of the most popular ways to do this is to take up running. While most people are aware that running improves physical fitness and increases quality of life, there are a number of other benefits to running that are not quite so obvious.
Check out this gallery to find out some of the lesser-known benefits of running.