If you can\u2019t think of anything worse than lacing up your trainers each morning, we\u2019ve got good news for you. Here\u2019s why running may not be the superior way to get\u2013 and stay\u2013 in shape.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n As you\u2019ve probably noticed, running\u2013 which has always been a fashionable form of exercise\u2013 has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years.\u00a0<\/p>\n It seems every man and his dog are now part of a 6 AM run club, sharing their unsolicited Strava loops on repeat to the rest of the world (I have my speagle Barkley\u2019s 5 km rundowns from the family group chat to prove it.)\u00a0<\/p>\n There\u2019s a well-deserved (but no less palpable) smugness to those who run regularly, leaving us brisk walkers and Pilates enthusiasts feeling more than a little inadequate.\u00a0<\/p>\n But while loyal runners sing the praises of their intense yet fail-safe method for weight management and longevity, one new study suggests solely relying on a daily jog may not be as effective for weight loss as we\u2019ve all been led to believe.\u00a0<\/p>\n Like what you see? Sign up to our\u00a0<\/i>bodyandsoul.com.au newsletter\u00a0<\/i>for more stories like this.<\/i><\/p>\n Now, though the idea that regular exercise prevents sarcopenic obesity is hardly new, this particular study found our long-held notion of what type of exercise is best to promote weight loss may be misinformed.\u00a0<\/p>\n In other words, sticking to hardcore cardio over your entire lifetime\u2013 while an effective way to burn calories and increase stamina\u2013 may not be the most effective or healthy method of sustained weight loss as we age.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to researchers in Finland, while lifelong runners can attribute their steady weight management to their discipline on the track, athletes of a different category showed greater potential for weight loss in their chosen field: strength-based training.\u00a0<\/p>\n The study examined the impact of different training methods over a lifetime against the natural physiological effects of ageing, such as the body\u2019s metabolism reset to conserve fat stores (an evolutionary process to prevent starvation).\u00a0<\/p>\n Comparing the body composition of regular runners, strength trainers and individuals who participated in little to no physical activity, researchers analysed each group\u2019s fat mass, muscle strength and prevalence of obesity across various age intervals.<\/p>\n As they say, variety is the spice of life. As it turns out, it\u2019s also the key to managing healthy muscle mass and fat mass as we age.\u00a0<\/p>\n The study found the adults with a lower prevalence of sarcopenic obesity were those who participated in regular exercise throughout their entire lives, such as strength athletes who emphasised muscle mass, or sprint and endurance athletes who demonstrated low levels of fat mass.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, the research pointed to unavoidable changes in body composition as a result of ageing, concluding that even the fittest individuals need to incorporate other methods into their routine to achieve optimal health in old age.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOther interventions than just exercise (e.g., diet) may be necessary to manage fat mass in order to maintain a more optimal body composition in older age, which would be particularly important for those approaching the obesity threshold,\u201d the study explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n So, if you\u2019re someone who runs purely in pursuit of losing weight, it may be time to supplement your weekly workout schedule with a few strength sessions and Reformer classes. Plus, don\u2019t skimp on the necessary food groups.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Details of the study<\/h3>\n
The study\u2019s findings<\/h3>\n