Friday, April 04, 2008
Sports & Fitness
Anne Adams: Running is great, whether outdoors or on a treadmill
Question: I just started running on a treadmill due to the cold weather. Are there more benefits to treadmill running than running outside?
Answer: Running is running! Running is a great way to get fit. It is simple and so basic and great rewards come to those who persist.
Running is also one of the most efficient ways to burn calories. It reduces the risk of certain diseases, strengthens the heart and lungs and boosts confidence and energy. Many runners, me being one of them, are so hooked that it is a bummer when we are too busy or when bad weather moves in and we have to take a day off. That is why many runners turn to treadmills.
So, why run on a treadmill? Well, beyond the obvious benefit that you can run anytime, day or night, in any kind of weather, running on a treadmill can actually be safer than running outside. Treadmills offer a smooth running surface that can be easier on your joints than running outside on the pavement as long as you are using proper running techniques.
Treadmills can also make it easy to determine your pace and incline. It is fun to measure your fitness via statistics, which are clearly calculated and displayed on a treadmill throughout your workout. Part of what I love about running is getting out into the sunshine and the fresh air, so the treadmill will never totally replace my outdoor regimen, but there are plenty of days (particularly during the winter in Wisconsin) when it is the best alternative.
Q: I hear a lot of stuff about nutrition. What is sports nutrition exactly?
A: Sports nutrition plays a huge part in gaining the best sporting performance. If you play hockey, golf, football, tennis or whatever your chosen sport is, having the right nutritional balance is essential. Having the correct balance of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates are vital to every athlete.
Try not to get nutrition and sports nutrition mixed up. Being an athlete and participating in sports will require more nutrients as a way of keeping the energy levels up to ensure peak fitness throughout activity. You want to have a balanced diet and drink lots of water, as it is one of those more important aspects of that balanced diet. Water makes up about 60 percent of the body weight and when you are working out, a lot of the fluid is lost.
In order for the body to recover, you need to make sure you are replenishing the fluid deficit. This also helps to prevent dehydration and will make your performance the best it can be.
Carbohydrates are the most important fuel source. Every athlete should consume at least 60-70 percent of his or her calories from carbohydrates. Foods rich in carbohydrates are fruits, veggies, pastas, cereals, rice and many more.