Running and bodybuilding are two extremely different forms of exercise. Whereas running is a high-intensity and high-impact form of cardiovascular fitness, bodybuilding is an intense strengthening exercise. As a result, the musculature of runners and bodybuilders is typically also very different. While the differences are even more pronounced elsewhere on the body, the abdominal muscles also attest to the contrasts in the two types of exercise.
Bodybuilding and the Abs
Bodybuilding is a strength training discipline, in which athletes use a combination of weight training, calisthenics and other practices to increase muscle mass and develop an extremely well-defined physique. Typically, a bodybuilding regimen includes dietary and fitness-related components to burn excess fat. As a result, the abdominal muscles of a bodybuilder often form the coveted "six-pack" or even "eight-pack", with each of the individual ab muscles visible.
Running and the Abs
A cardiovascular, aerobic form of fitness, running is extremely effective at burning calories. As a result, most runners develop a lean, well-defined physique. While running does not target the ab muscles, the core is used in maintaining a running gait. As a result, the ab muscles typically strengthen with regular running, though less so than the muscles of the lower body.
Understanding Abs
The abdominal muscles consist of the rectus abdominis and the internal and external obliques. The rectus abdominis is a band of muscles that runs up and down along the abdominal area, divided vertically by a strip of tendon and horizontally by three more tendons. These tendons give the appearance of an "eight-pack" or a washboard in some bodies. In addition to the rectus abdominis, the external oblique muscles run outward from the rectus abdominus in a "V" shape, arching upward toward individual ribs. Beneath the external obliques, the internal obliques run at a 90-degree angle, forming an inverted "V". Together, the obliques make it possible to rotate the torso at the waist.
Abs, Health and Wellness
Whether you practice running or bodybuilding, flatter abs can lead the way to improved overall health. If you tend to accumulate fat around your midsection, losing those pounds can have significant benefit on your health, even more than losing fat from your hips or lower body. Typically, abdominal fat is visceral fat, which is linked to an increased likelihood of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer among women. Strengthening your core muscles, including your abs, can improve your balance, posture and stability, contributing to your performance in athletics as well as daily life.
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