A Launching Pad for A Healthier Lifestyle

You might have run a mile in high school. But if you don’t run regularly these days, you might not realize all the benefits of running. We're here to remind you of all the advantages you'll gain from a consistent run routine. Studies have shown that exercise like running can help prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, some cancers, and many other conditions. Read on to find out more about the benefits of running.

Running is a great way to be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit.

The main benefits of running on the mind and body are:

●     Physical Fitness – running strengthens your entire body, keeps your heart and lungs healthy, and helps control weight gain.

●     Mental Fitness – running requires training, discipline, and determination.

●     Emotional Fitness – running frees our minds and bodies from sadness, anger, or stress.

Running is shown to be specifically beneficial for the heart.

Some of those benefits include:

●     Decrease in risk of heart attack by as much as 50%.

●     Decrease the risk of other heart problems like arrhythmias, angina (chest pain), or palpitations.

●     A lower resting heart rate indicates a more efficient heart.

Running Without Injury

You can avoid many running pitfalls, such as blisters, heel pain, stress fractures, tendonitis, and shin splints, by following this advice from board-certified podiatrist Dr. Chad Knight:

●     Prepare Your Body: Stretch before running and ensure you're properly fueled for a workout. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and drink plenty of water.

●     Start Slowly: gradually build up your running speed and distance.

●     Wear Good Running Shoes: Running is tough on your feet. No other athletic shoes offer the support and cushioning a runner needs. To get the right fit, visit a store specializing in running gear, or make an appointment at Knight Foot and Ankle Care for a foot analysis and shoe recommendations. For example, Dr. Knight might discover you tend to overpronate or have high arches. That information will inform you of the type of running shoe you should wear and tell you if you'd benefit from custom orthotics.

To schedule a comprehensive examination, call our office at (405)-513-0385, or visit our website for more information.