Is it possible to run too much

Schwartz, M. Of course, the data procured using newer technology produced similarly troublesome results. The Other Side of the Argument All of these findings are certainly alarming. But while they're generating a lot of buzz, it's important to keep in mind that plenty of research points to the fact that running typically decreases all-cause mortality risk and improves markers of heart health. In addition to the masses of previous research showing that moderate amounts of exercise can result in pretty dramatic health improvements, recent research, also presented at the American College of Cardiology's scientific sessions in Washington, D.

After completing the training program, the runners showed improved exercise capacity, decreased LDL bad cholesterol, decreased overall cholesterol, decreased triglyceride levels, and lower BMIs. One strength of this particular study is it looked at the same people before and after marathon training—rather than comparing runners to non-runners, as so many other studies on running have done.

This research also looked at men who were averaging about 25 miles a week during the very specific timeframe of 18 weeks—and many of the more worrisome studies looked at subjects who ran even longer distances than that for the duration of their lives which makes the results less applicable to the general exercising public. Still other research suggests that, while high-mileage running may not improve heart health as much as previously though, it's also probably not doing much damage.

A British Medical Journal study published this year looked at 42 runners, all of whom had qualified for the Boston marathon and ran an average of about 40 miles a week. Researchers compared various measures of their heart health to those of their non-running spouses the thinking was that the subjects probably ate similar diets and maintained similar lifestyle habits, when compared to their spouses.

As it turns out, the marathon runners did look healthier than their sedentary partners in some indices of cardiovascular health—but not all of them. This is often experienced in athletes who are encouraged to push themselves on a regular basis. Some symptoms of Anorexia Athletica include guilt over a missed gym session, pushing to work-out through an injury or illness, compulsively exercising to counteract calories consumed throughout the day, no longer enjoying sports for fun, and a loss of self-worth or image.

Those numbers increase drastically when talking about runners, with 1 in 5 amateur runners and 1 in 2 marathon or triathletes categorized as addicted. If a runner or athlete finds themselves exhibiting any of the above symptoms the main step is to admit that there is a problem, and then seek help from a therapist and dietitian. All in all, the average amateur runner will have no issues with their running habits. Most will reap the benefits of increased life expectancy, strengthened muscles , weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of heart attack, lowered chance of developing cancer, and more.

If you ever experience pain while exercising, take it easy, relax your muscles, and if the pain persists see a health care professional. What Muscles Does Running Work. Dynamic Stretching. Tempo Run. Stretches for Runners. Hill Sprints. Anaerobic Threshold. How to Breathe While Running. Runners High. Heart Rate Training. Trail Running Shoes Sneakers. Long Sleeve Running Shirt. Winter Running Shoes. Running Gloves. But if you're overtraining by running too much, your body can fall into a state of exhaustion that can actually suppress your appetite, Lyman told INSIDER.

Exercising gives you a boost of endorphins that trigger a positive response in your brain. Unfortunately, if you're running too much, these endorphins get overshadowed by fatigue and possibly a lack of quality sleep that could result from overtraining. This can potentially lead to mood swings. You might not be giving yourself enough time to recover if you've progressed too quickly.

Read More: Everything you need to know about foam rolling — a tool that can help you recover after tough workouts. A quality mat and a foam roller for stretching are essential products to have at home.

Sleep is part of recovery and if you're not taking enough time to recover, the quality of your sleep can be disrupted by too much running and not enough downtime. The activity has been linked to better oxygen intake, improved circulation, and increased lung function, according to a report published in March in the journal Breathe.

But running is one of those sports that also gets a bad rap for being notoriously tough on the body, from knee injuries to pulled or strained tendons to lost toenails. And what can you do about them? If particularly severe, you might feel the pain all the time; if less severe you may feel it after long periods of sitting with bent knees, running, squatting, or climbing or descending stairs.

What to Do About It You'll want to stop running until the pain goes away. Then, starting with brisk walking, gradually increase your distance and speed. Mandelbaum suggests no more than a 10 percent increase per week on each of those variables. If the pain doesn't go away after three to five days of no running, it's time to call your doctor. Also, be sure to warm up before running or any exercise and incorporate leg-strengthening exercises into your workout routine to strengthen the muscles supporting the knee.

And you may need to change how you run, as your stride could be the main culprit, suggests Carol Mack, CSCS , a doctor of physical therapy and trainer in Cleveland who often works with runners.