Football stars like Leon Goretzka and Cristiano Ronaldo show how it is at the 2021 European Championship: They are fully muscular and can still run very quickly. Runners should also train their strength more often, as this protects them from injuries.
Many runners know the problem. You torment yourself with back pain, especially in the lumbar spine area. Because the many sitting in the home office and office, the muscles in the back are stunted and shortened. While jogging, the hips tilt forward, creating a hollow back. There is a constant pull on the lower back – tension and pain are inevitable. The fun of movement comes so quickly. Some even suspect that exercise is the cause of the problems.
Many neglect muscle training
A mistake, as we did in the new episode of our podcast “She runs. He runs” to explain. Because many recreational athletes believe that regular running is enough to keep them fit and healthy, they neglect other areas of the body. This is often the cause of complaints. Above all, good core muscles are now considered by research to be a highly effective protection against running injuries, including those on the legs.
“We now know that a strong stomach and a stable back bring the whole body into better posture”says podcast host Alexandra Kraft. In this way, the movements are smoother and more even when running. Studies have shown that more muscles guarantee better movement. So it’s no surprise that runners who specifically do strength training suffer significantly less from back pain. And it is also clearly proven that better muscles also make you faster.
You can achieve a lot with simple exercises
But it doesn’t always have to be a walk to the fitness study, advises Alexandra Kraft. “Most of the exercises can be done at home in the living room with the help of your own body weight”, so the stern– Science Editor. You can find out which ones are in episode 12 of the podcast “She runs. He runs.” Listen in and join in.
