Running ScienceRunning Science
Humans have been running for millennia. Early hunters relied on running stamina to chase prey for hours. Among the many unique human attributes is our ability to run long distance. And yet running hurts. Go for a run after work today and you'll probably wake up tomorrow with stiff limbs and a firm resolution to spend more evenings on the couch watching TV. Running is a high-impact exercise: every stride sends shudders of force up anatomically complicated ankles and through delicate knees, goading your joints and muscles into injury. And yet millions train each year for marathons and triathalons the world over. Running Science explains the science behind running—why it hurts, how one can run faster, how physics of surfaces and the soles of shoes all contribute to performance. This is a guide for anyone interested in running—from those in armchairs who just want to read about the science of sport, to others who are looking for ways to better their next marathon.
Running is a deceptively simple sport. At its most basic, you need only shoes and comfortable clothes you don&;t mind getting sweaty. Yet each time you lace up, all your body&;s moving parts must work together to achieve a gait that will keep you injury-free. Many other factors also affect your performance, from the weather and the surface you run on to your shoes, your diet, and even your mental and emotional state. Science plays an important role in most, if not all, of these factors.
As a sports scientist and Running Fitness columnist, John Brewer has reviewed hundreds of scientific studies, and he offers runners the benefit of their findings in Running Science. Each chapter explores a different aspect of the sport through a series of questions. Many of the questions address practical matters: Do you really need to stretch? Which running shoes best suit your form and foot strike? Does carbo-loading lore stand up to scientific scrutiny&;could a big bowl of spaghetti be the difference between a PR and a DNF? Other questions enhance appreciation for the incredible feats of the sport&;s great athletes. (What would it take to run a two-hour marathon? Perfect weather, a straight, flat course, competition, and a lot of luck!) The answer to each question is presented in a straightforward, accessible manner, with accompanying infographics.
Whether you&;re a beginner or a seasoned runner with many miles and medals behind you, Running Science is a must-have for anyone interested in the fascinating science behind the sport.
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- Chicago ; London : The University of Chicago Press, [2017], ©2017
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