Heart: The maximum benefits occur in the heart as the muscles of two ventricles which pump out blood become thicker and both the interiors of these chambers become larger in size by 20 percent. This enables both the ventricles to pump out more blood with each beat.
The heart rate reduces and goes down to 40-50 per minute. Giving the heart time to relax as each beat pumps out more blood than usual. This also enables more blood supply to the heart muscles, giving it more power. Simultaneously, the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart muscles become larger in diameter and supply more blood to the heart muscles, making it more powerful. Population studies have revealed that runners suffer less from heart attack.
Improvement of blood chemistry: Running reduces blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride which indirectly contribute to heart attacks. HDL cholesterol which protects from heart attacks increases with running and even goes up to 80 to 100 mg.
Psychological well-being: This, in my opinion, is the best thing that happens to a runner. Few scientific studies have been done in this area but some have shown that running addiction is associated with high frequency running and positive personality, though not with mood enhancement. Some scientific studies have shown that marathon runners are below normal in anxiety, low in tension, depression and hostility. Among runners there is improved self-concept, sense of control and body image. Runners have better concentration in professional work, a positive outlook towards life and better sleep.
Anti-obesity: Running reduces body weight and obesity.
Anti-smoking: The running habit stops smoking.
Anti-ageing: Runners are slower to grow old. Physiologically, age increases 10-15 percent in 10 years. But runners grow old by 5 percent in 10 years.
Respiratory Functions: With running, lung functioning improves and breathing becomes effortless after some time. Even asthma patients can improve by starting slow running.
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