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5 Amusing Facts For Runners Being So Skinny (Expert’s View)
Running is a trendy way of exercising practiced worldwide. Many people run only for fun, while others have developed careers out of it.
If you have ever witnessed a race, you must have seen the marathon runners. The thought that might have crossed all our minds is why runner’s bodies are so skinny. Several reasons for runners being skinny are prolonged workouts, lack of hunger, fast metabolism, building lean muscles, and a balanced diet.
This article will explain in detail the main reasons for runners being skinny. So, let’s dive in!
5 Fascinating Reasons for Runners Being So Skinny
1. More Practice and Prolonged Workouts
One of the main reasons for runners being skinny is the intense workout. They train everyday for almost 2 hours. This training leads them to burn calories and store glycogen for constant energy. As a outcome, the body requires more energy to turn carbohydrates into fats.
During a marathon, runners use specific muscles called slow-twitch fibers. During long-lasting exercises, slow-twitch fibers become larger while fast-twitch fibers become smaller.
Research shows that a male runner’s body fat can greatly impact his marathon performance, despite regular training and speed.
Just because runners look skinny doesn’t mean they are not physically strong. They also do strength training to strengthen their muscles and build endurance.
Related Article: “Can Running Increase Height? (7 Useful Ways To Achieve It)”
2. Lack of Appetite and Hunger
Fast running makes you feel less hungry. As a result, you try to eat less or change your diet to lower your calorie intake and lose weight.
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Intense running might make you less hungry by lowering the hormone levels that make you hungry (ghrelin). Meanwhile, it also increases the hormone production that makes you feel full (PYY).
According to research, the ghrelin levels of 11 men decreased after 60 minutes of running or 90 minutes of strength training.
3. Boosts Calorie Burning Process
One of the other facts about runners being so skinny is that during the run, their heartbeat increases, which ends up burning more calories. Moreover, sweat helps cool down their bodies while running, which also requires extra calories.
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Furthermore, aerobic respiration produces energy during long-distance running. The body converts foods into nutrients and gets energy from there.
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Exercises like running strengthen your lean muscles. This way, they are metabolically more active and consume more calories. This way, the runners end up achieving more efficient muscles.
Together, these processes increase the calorie-burning rate, so you see why runners are so fit.
According to The American Council, running one mile burns about 100 calories. According to the organization chart, a person weighing 140 pounds (or 63 kilograms) burns 13.2 calories every minute. This way, running a mile in 10 minutes would burn 132 calories. If someone weighing 160 pounds ran a mile in 10 minutes, they would burn almost 151 calories.
4. Healthy Diet and Balanced Meal
Runners consume a balanced diet to keep their bodies athletic and energetic. They have meals with a good combination of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They prefer whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to get the energy necessary for their activity.
Runner’s diet usually includes meat, eggs, and beans for proteins, which assist them in muscle repair and recovery.
For fats, they normally eat nuts and avocados, which keep them energetic and provide support. Additionally, they also remain hydrated by consuming a lot of water.
In a recent study, researchers divided the runners into three groups.; some ran 10 kilometers, some ran half marathons, and some ran marathons or ultramarathons.
Researchers found that people who ran shorter distances consumed more fruits, vegetables, and proteins than others. The age of the runners also affected their food choices.
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5. Develop Efficient Lean Muscles
Muscles consist of slow and fast-twitch fibers. Slow-twitch muscle fibers are well-built and long-lasting. They can handle feeling tired for a long time. Bigger fast twitch fibers can generate more support and power but get tired faster.
Related Article: “Will Running Lose Or Build Muscle? (11 Ways To Prevent It!)”
Runners develop strong and efficient lean muscles, which are efficient at burning calories. Lean muscles make the body look slim and smart, one of the reasons runners are skinny.
Long-distance and professional marathon runners practice to make their muscles work better. That is why people who run are thinner but can keep running for a long time without getting tired.
Importance Of Being Skinny For Runners
- Improved running speed
- Feeling less fatigued
- Less stress on joints and muscles
- Reduced chances of injuries
- Maintained body temperature
- Better long-term health
Conclusion
This blog summaries all the main reasons for runners being skinny. This includes intense workouts, aerobic exercise, cardio, appetite control, burning more calories, building lean muscles, and eating healthy.
You can achieve your dream body with running with the best guide & the right gear like “9 Best Men’s Running Short Tights (+ Buying Guide)”.
Here is the cookbook of the recipes that runners cook and eat prior to their workouts: The Ultimate Cookbook for Runners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This could be due to dehydration, low energy levels, or muscle fatigue after the physical activity
There are several reasons for runners being skinny. But, mainly, running consumes a lot of calories which helps to burn body fat more efficiently,
Not all runners, but many distance runners often have less fat as they consume their body fat to get energy during their runs.
Different runners have different bodies. Some long-distance runners have comparatively less fat and stronger muscles, especially in their legs and core.
Many people assume that marathon runners are not healthy, but that’s not true. They are lean because they train for longer hours. They are physically strong with lean muscles and healthy hearts.
