Running cleats, also called track spikes, are specialized shoes designed to maximize a competitor's performance. The cleats, which are often lightweight, feature much better traction than normal running shoes because of the plastic or metal spikes...
The lunge is a lower-body compound exercise that works the buttocks and thighs. It can be performed with free weights or with body weight only. Because its primary goal is increased muscle strength through the use of weight, the lunge is a weight...
Running is a form of exercise that burns calories and tones muscles without having to buy a gym membership or equipment beyond a pair of running shoes. If you'd like to increase your speed as a distance runner, revamping your routine and changing...
Running well actually requires a great deal of muscle strength, not just running endurance. As a runner you use muscles in your upper and lower body as well as your core to push through to the end of a race or summit a hill on a tough trail....
Track and field training can help develop speed, endurance and stamina. Seasonal track schedules vary, depending on the individual school criteria and the local weather. While some track teams use the fall as their off-season for resting and...
In 2010, there were more than 12 million road race finishers in the United States, compared to about 5 million in 1990, according to Running USA. People run for many different reasons: endurance, health, a reduction in body weight or competition....
For individuals who want to progress past 5k runs, an 8k run is a good distance to work toward. An 8k run equals five miles and requires runners to develop endurance, strength and stamina. Training for an 8k is similar to training for a 10k. You...
Football requires considerable strength as you reach higher levels of play, due to the increased size of opponents you are likely to face. With linemen making contact almost immediately after a snap, speed, agility and quickness take a back set to...
Track and field events are timed to the hundredth of a second. That may be a minuscule amount of time, but it can be the difference between winning and losing; between setting a new personal best or just coming agonizingly close. Sprinting events...
Many runners dread hills, but the only way to overcome this phobia is to tackle them head on. Running hills improves your VO2 max and overall performance outdoors on both hills and flat roads. Running hills on a treadmill gives you control over...
Running backs need more than speed to succeed. To be a good running back, you will also need excellent footwork, balance, agility, power, strength and quickness. These skills require types of training, so you will need to set up a specific...
Track spikes are common footwear for athletes competing in running events on a track or on trails. These shoes are designed to make them lightweight and improve traction with the use of protruding spikes on the underside of the shoe. These two...
If you're a runner, you probably won't let a little cold weather stop you from running. Running in cold temperatures does require some common-sense planning. You also need to stay alert to signs of potential injury from cold temperatures. The...
Almost anyone can benefit from taking a foot soak to relax aching feet, but using Epsom salt in a foot soak provides additional relaxation benefits. The main ingredient in Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. It's possible for people to lack this...
Running efficiency during a 1.5-mile run depends on several factors, including rhythmic breathing and cardiovascular training. Beginning runners often feel out of breath after short distances, which results from a combination of untrained...
Jogging is an effective exercise to help promote weight loss. Burning more calories, bumping up your metabolism and improving heart health are three benefits of the low impact aerobic activity. Both sudden, acute injuries and chronic, long-term...
Running is an intense physical activity that requires a lot of energy for endurance and peak performance. Whether you are training or running a marathon, running or energy gels are important because they provide an efficient source of...
It may seem like your legs are up to the task of running nonstop, but your breath gets in the way of your progress. However, you can blame your breathlessness on your muscles rather than inefficient breathing. When you give your muscles more work...
More people are running for health, fitness and competition than ever. In 2010, the number of finishers of U.S. marathons topped 500,000 for the first time. This increase in participation has meant a more diverse cohort, and not everyone who...
Running is a convenient and time-efficient way for you to lose or maintain body weight, improve your cardiovascular fitness, reduce stress and tone your leg muscles. The flip side of this slate of positives: Running puts a lot of strain on your...
Running can help you improve your physical fitness and manage your weight, but your body needs rest days to recover from these high-intensity workouts. Whether you're training for a race or running solely to burn extra calories, you can make the...
Discoid meniscus is a painful condition affecting the knee that restricts your ability to exercise; vigorous exercises such as running aggravate the injury. Discoid meniscus typically requires knee surgery. Recovering from surgery is a long...
A runner's ability to perform at his best level can be limited by how quickly his muscles recover and repair themselves. Many factors contribute to this recovery process, but nutrition is key and an often neglected aspect. Running is a sport that...
Knee pain affects runners of all ages. The repeated impact of your foot hitting the ground sends shock waves through the bones and soft tissues of your legs. Over time and with use, your knees can feel the effects of running's stress....
It is common for distance runners to suffer overuse injuries, disrupting regular training and preventing competition. However, even if an injury interrupts your normal running routine, you can still maintain a high level of cardiovascular fitness...
To weight train properly for football, you'll need to lift differently at different times of the year. Weight lifting that will help you build muscle can also slow you down on the field if you do it during the season. Create an annual plan to help...
Running can be a very rewarding activity on many levels. It is beneficial to your health, in practical terms, in cross training for fitness and in competition itself. Having goals and objectives for your own running routine can shape and focus...
Rock Creek Park is a fitness lover's oasis located in the heart of the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. More than twice the size of New York City's Central Park, Rock Creek gives athletes plenty of exercise and running trail options. The park is...
A 10K race is equivalent to 6.2 miles and running it is completely achievable, even if you are a novice or recreational runner. 10K races are run on roads, paths or trails that are outdoors, but if inclement weather or time forces you indoors, you...
