The health benefits of running are unquestionable. Running relieves stress, fights depression, and burns calories. But, many people wonder, does running actually build muscle? The answer to this question is it depends. Depending on how a person runs, he or she may have a tremendous ability to increase muscle.

To understand whether or not running builds muscle, one must understand how muscle is built within the human body. Muscle only rebuilds itself according to the amount of stress that is placed upon it. Another principle to understand is that muscle growth only happens when the stress is greater than what that muscle is normally exposed to. The last principle to understand is that heavier exercise that intensifies strain on muscles will result in the growth of muscle.

Knowing these principles, now one can see how running may or may not build muscle. For running long distances, a person is more likely to burn fat than increase muscle. Sprinters, on the other hand, have a better likelihood of building muscle. Sprinters are exposed to extreme stress on biceps in particular which encourages muscle growth.

So, if one is a long distance runner and wants to build muscle, then he or she should consider changing up a running program. One idea recommended by many fitness experts is to run a long distance and then run a short distance. Perhaps one may run one or two miles and then run a 400 meter sprint. Doing this will help a long distance runner to burn fat and increase muscle. Running long distances at a jogging pace is not sufficient for building muscle.

In addition to running sprints, another way to encourage muscle growth is combining a healthy diet with consistent running workouts. Protein directly has an impact on the muscle growth one experiences, so it is important to consume a diet filled with protein. Some rich sources of protein are chicken, eggs, and fish. Eating fresh salads with grilled chicken is one way to stay lean and build muscle at the same time. Protein shakes can also be a great supplement for the person that wants to build muscle.

In general, running can only create muscle if one is conscious of his or her running habits. One must work to develop a running program specifically intended for the creation of muscle. Otherwise, it is very easy for any person to simply lose muscle from running long distances.

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