Raise your legs when you run - you will burn much more energy

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 12 Jan 2004 - 0:00 PDT

email icon email to a friend   printer icon printer friendly   write icon opinions  

Current Article Ratings:

Patient / Public:not yet rated

Healthcare Prof:not yet rated


A new study has found that runners burn much more energy than previously realised if they raise their legs more.

According the researchers at Northeastern University (USA), if you swing your legs in the air when you run you will burn a great deal of energy.

Previously, experts had thought that the impact of the foot hitting the ground determined energy consumption.

Researchers have found that we use a lot of energy while the legs are off the ground.

The researchers found that we consume 26% of our limb's energy while running (standing muscles consume 74%, the remainder).

This method (using blood flow to estimate energy consumption) could help researchers reach a better understanding of which specific muscles support weight. They will also better understand how different body sizes and different running speeds affect energy use (this will provide greater knowledge for rehabilitative medicine).

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
Visit our sports medicine / fitness section for the latest news on this subject.
There are no references listed for this article.
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA
n.p. "Raise your legs when you run - you will burn much more energy." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 12 Jan. 2004. Web.
15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/5293.php>

APA
n.p. (2004, January 12). "Raise your legs when you run - you will burn much more energy." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/5293.php.

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.


Sports Medicine / Fitness

Most Popular Articles



Follow Our Sports Medicine News On Twitter

Follow Us On Twitter
Get the latest news for this category delivered straight to your Twitter account. Simply visit our Sports Medicine / Fitness Twitter account and select the 'follow' option.



View list of all 'What Is...' articles »