by Wilhelm Schnotz

Created on: July 31, 2007

The health benefits of running are similar to most other aerobic activities. Despite this there are some health benefits that are unique to running. Running and good health go hand in hand, although being a runner doesn't necessarily mean that you are a healthy person.

The health benefits of running can come from just a single running session but most of the benefits arise from the fact that you regularly run. If you aren't physically active very often or run far too often or too hard these health benefits are greatly reduced. You need to run on most days of the week to receive these health benefits:

- Improved quality of sleep
- Improved running speed
- Improved aerobic capacity, lactate threshold and running biomechanics
- Better motor skills
- Reduced risk of stroke, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure
- Maintenance of a healthy body weight
- Maintains healthy bones, joints and muscles
- Improved concentration
- Reduced mental stress
- Enhanced learning and memory
- Improved awareness of health
- Better quality of life
- Improved self-esteem

These are most of the benefits that running can provide to your health. If you compare these benefits to the few risks that running provides then you will notice that running is certainly a worthwhile form of physical activity.

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