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Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

nytimes.com

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Re: Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

#81

Post by vesak »

gragas wrote: post #7

I hate how much the authors of this article imply causality. >There also, interestingly, was less activity among the runners in a part of the brain that tends to indicate lack of focus and mind wandering. Could it not be that people who have the willpower to run regularly also have the willpower to stay focused? >In essence, the runners seemed to have brains in which certain cognitive skills, including multitasking a…

>Could it not be that people who have the willpower to run regularly also have the willpower to stay focused?

This is just an anecdote, of course, but I notice a major boost to my ability to concentrate, avoid distractions and think after a good aerobic exercise session. My efficiency goes from 4.

The boost lasts about 2 days, after which the lethargy sets back in.

Re: Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

#82

Post by tempestn »

dahart wrote: post #69
naasking wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Running is not great for losing weight Since when? I'd like a citation on that.

Here's a couple of citations for you. Both are generally exercise vs calorie control, not specific to running. Of course, running lands in the exercise category. https://youtu.be/ztiHRiFXtoc https://youtu.be/eXTiiz99p9o My personal experience of a lifetime of moderate amounts of running has been that it didn't help me lose weight at all, it increased my strength and endurance. But when I run and when I exercise, I ea…

Presumably this varies a lot person to person. I find it much easier to lose weight with a combination of exercise and calorie restriction than with the latter alone. Yes, I get a bit hungrier when I exercise, but that just helps with focusing on eating when I'm hungry. It also allows me to eat somewhat more, thereby enjoying the experience of eating healthy food more, so it lessens the perceived hardship of calorie restriction. Finally, it's motivational: as I eat healthy food and begin losing weight, I feel stronger and more fit when I exercise, which makes exercising more enjoyable, and gives me more motivation to stick with the diet.

Re: Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

#83

Post by nopinsight »

tachim wrote: post #79
nopinsight wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are several studies that show adult neurogenesis from aerobic exercise, particularly running, in rats and mice. Example: Physical exercise increases adult hippocampal neurogenesis in male rats provided it is aerobic and sustained. https:/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26844666 A review article here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5566493_Neurogenesi... There is at least one study that allows us to infer…

That first study does not support your claim. This is the main chart: https://i.imgur.com/pTFJkaJ.png . Note how it shows a significant response in Doublecortin+ cells only in the HRT group and not for the LRTs. These acronyms stand "for low (LRT) and high (HRT) response to aerobic exercise training". In particular, quoting from the article: Starting with a founder population of genetically heterogeneous rats (N/NIH…

Your point regarding the first study I cited seems to be a good one. There are a number of other studies with similar effects, however; some of which can be found in the review article.

Re: Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

#84

Post by SmellyGeekBoy »

rconti wrote: post #25
cylinder wrote: post #5

Man, NYT seems to run a piece about exercise and health, especially mental health, and especially running, almost daily. We get it. Personally, I hate running. I like thinking.

I find I think more while I'm running. Probably because running is so damn boring!

Me too. I get to the finish line of a half marathon and wonder what I've been doing the past 2 hours because I've been so lost in thought!

Re: Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

#85

Post by discreteevent »

monkmartinez wrote: post #55
hueving wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Biking, swimming, and rowing are all better on the joints than the impact from running. >P.S. Instead of getting your friends to downvote, how about suggesting an actually-healthy alternative? Don't complain about downvotes, it makes for boring conversation.

I had 2 herniated discs (L4-L5, L5-S1) in 2014 due to swinging an axe over my head for an extended period of time on a large structure fire. I say that to say this; running is way better for my back than cycling. My left leg, mostly my foot, still haven't completely recovered from the nerve impingement, but I am running 30 to 40 miles a week with no problems (lots of trail running too, check my Strava :) ) I can't cy…

Cycling can be bad for your back but it depends upon your position on the bike. I had problems with my lower back but I cycle regularly on a road bike and I haven't had any issues for a long time. One thing is that the lower handlebars on a road bike takes weight off the lower back and onto the shoulders and arms. It also makes you build up your core which is one of the main causes of back pain. Too low or too stretched out is not good. But if your position is right theres no problem.

Re: Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

#86

Post by return0 »

eutectic wrote: post #11
gragas wrote: post #7

I hate how much the authors of this article imply causality. >There also, interestingly, was less activity among the runners in a part of the brain that tends to indicate lack of focus and mind wandering. Could it not be that people who have the willpower to run regularly also have the willpower to stay focused? >In essence, the runners seemed to have brains in which certain cognitive skills, including multitasking a…

There are plenty of compelling arguments against excessive running: 1) It is destructive to your joints and tendons. Injury rates are very high among runners. 2) It is stressful, resulting in chronically elevated cortisol levels. 3) It is time consuming and boring (of course this is subjective), and very inefficient at improving fitness.

what about strength training/weightlifting?

Re: Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

#87

Post by samuell »

gragas wrote: post #7

I hate how much the authors of this article imply causality. >There also, interestingly, was less activity among the runners in a part of the brain that tends to indicate lack of focus and mind wandering. Could it not be that people who have the willpower to run regularly also have the willpower to stay focused? >In essence, the runners seemed to have brains in which certain cognitive skills, including multitasking a…

Well, the article states:

> Of course, this type of study cannot prove that running actually caused the differences in the men’s thinking, only that runners had certain patterns of thought.

Re: Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

#88

Post by JulianMorrison »

FrancoDiaz wrote: post #71
notacoward wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anything done excessively can be unhealthy, by definition, but there's only a grain of truth to what you're saying. To your point 1: done properly, running isn't particularly harmful to joints and tendons, and some studies even seem to show that running can be beneficial in that regard[1]. The rapid changes in direction that cause the most stress are less prevalent in running than just about any other sport, not even…

I've been running for years and enjoy running, but everything he said is pretty much true...well, the boring part for me is obviously not true. #2 (elevated cortisol levels) is a huge problem that is rarely discussed though. I'm still trying to figure that one out.

Try ashwagandha, it has some evidence of lowering cortisol.

Re: Running as a Thinking Person’s Sport

#89

Post by pjc50 »

Benjamin_Dobell wrote: post #17

Intellectuals often take up cycling or running, notice the benefits and then claim cycling and running are great for the mind. Kind of makes me wonder if they'd ever exercised before. As long as I don't completely exhaust myself, I tend to feel much better after I exercise, which includes playing ball sports... I just don't do it nearly as often as I should!

Often not, or only at school where exercise is a miserable, mandatory thing.
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