How Running Changes Your Body

The body is made to move. Jogging and running is an effective and cheap way of staying healthy year round. It doesn’t only improve how you look, but also how you feel – physically and mentally. All these tremendous benefits come with a few downsides, unless certain precautions are taken.

Slideshow: This Is How Running Changes Your Body

“Any weight bearing activity, such as jogging and running, if done properly and with proper equipment, is considered a good stress on the body and the body will respond to these stressors by adapting and becoming stronger,” Physical Therapist Dr. John Gallucci, Jr., MS, ATC, PT, DPT, says.

Cardiovascular exercise, such as running, uses energy – or calories – and, therefore, it is most commonly performed by people who are looking to decrease fat stores since fat loss depends on calories burned vs. calories consumed. But some people tend to overdo it.

A common injury is patellofemoral pain syndrome, more commonly referred to as Runner’s knee. It is a dull, achy pain that originates underneath your knee cap and is typically felt during running, especially up hill, walking down stairs or when moving from a sitting position to a standing position, Dr. Gallucci says. “This condition is marked by improper tracking of the kneecap which leads to a softening, roughening, or general degeneration of the cartilage and is often experienced by those who have flat feet, knock-knees, or weak hip and thigh muscles.”

Don’t run into an unhealthy direction by overlooking what running actually does to your entire body.

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