Sprinting is an exercise in which you need to run fast in a short distance. Read about the many health benefits of sprinting here.
Sprinting has many health benefits.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sprinting helps in quick fat loss
- It can help in dealing with conditions such as diabetes and PCOD
- Sprinting should be done with the right technique
Sprinting is an exercise which involves running at a fast pace over a short distance. It is an exercise which is known as one of the most powerful physique-shaping exercises. A variety of muscles are involved in sprinting. The exercise helps one achieve a lean body. The exercise has many health benefits which makes celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar swear by it as well. In one of her posts on Facebook, she says that we all must sprint at least once a week. She mentions that sprinting regularly helps in training the under-used muscles in legs and glutes. Using these muscles will ultimately lead to a flatter stomach. 
She goes on to add that sprinting once a week can increase after burn, in terms of burning fat after doing sprinting. This in turn will ensure more fat burning throughout the week. Rujuta also mentions that sprinting once a week can improve insulin sensitivity. Improved insulin sensitivity can arrest and even reverse conditions like diabetes and Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD).
But before you go ahead with sprinting, make sure that you chose the right terrain and warm up properly to avoid injuries.
So let's takes a look at health benefits of sprinting and why you must include it in your fitness regime:
1. It helps in quick burning of fat
People on a weight loss regime must include sprint interval training in their fitness regime. Sprinting works in a way that it increases body's aerobic capacity while decreasing body fat and increases the running speed. It is a high intensity workout which quickly reduces the fat under the skin. Sprinting is an effective exercise for burning the most tedious abdominal fat as well.
Also read: Celebrity Trainer Vinod Channa Tells Us How Celebrities Lose Fat, Gain Muscle So Fast
2. Sprinting gives a boost to your mood
Sprinting requires a lot of energy to be done. Doing sprinting effectively, with the right technique is known to release happiness hormones endorphins in the blood stream. The exercise is thus particularly helpful for people suffering from depression and anxiety. The exercise can be done anytime, anywhere. The exercise is cost-effective and is by and large a natural movement for humans.
3. It increases muscle strength
A study conducted in 2012 says that doing sprints for 30 seconds over a period of 20 minutes can enhance the pathways of protein synthesis in the body. Enhanced pathways of protein synthesis enable build-up of muscles. This further leads to a leaner body. A lean body can sprint faster and for a much longer time. Build-up of muscles is helpful in losing fat as muscles play the role of using energy even when the body is at rest.
4. Effectiveness of sprinting is similar to that of endurance training
Research says that sprinting is as effective as endurance training. The exercise is time effective as well. Sprint interval training is known to improve oxidative capacity of muscles and improve cardiac functioning of the body. Muscles become more efficient with regular sprinting.
Also read: Here's How A Low-Fat Diet Is Just As Effective For Weight Loss As A Low-Carb Diet
5. It improves metabolism
Sprinting improves metabolism and reduces your risk of conditions like diabetes and stroke. Studies say that sprinting improves insulin sensitivity and burns fat even when the body is resting. Sprinting has also shown to reduce waist circumference effectively.
6. Sprinting improves insulin sensitivity
Sprinting is known to be helpful in improving insulin sensitivity. This proves to be beneficial advantage for people who fall short of enough time to exercise effectively and have disorders related to high blood glucose.
Also read: How To Reduce Chest Fat: The Answer Is These Top 6 Exercises
Things to be kept in mind
1. People who are perfectly healthy should definitely go for a sprint. But it is important to be well prepared before you go ahead with it. People with week knees, arthritis, excessive body weight or those with cardiac issues should avoid sprinting. Take up sprinting after consulting your doctor.
2. Jog for a few minutes before you increase your speed and continue for 10 to 20 minutes of dynamic stretching. Start with shorter distance in the beginning and do not begin with full intensity. Use only 70% of your intensity initially.
Photo Credit: iStock3. Work on building your stamina for a few weeks and increase your speed gradually. Increase the time duration slowly and gradually.
4. Take rest of at least 2 to 5 minutes between sprints. Remember, the priority is to learn the technique properly. If you experience pain while sprinting, it means that you need to improve your warm-up.
5. After completing your sprinting session, make sure that you allow your body to cool down and come back to normal temperatures. Walk or jog slowly for a while before sitting. This prevents muscle cramps and pains.
6. Rujuta suggests that you should do sprinting once a week to be healthy. But in order to keep your body prepared for a run, sprinting twice or thrice can be helpful.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
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