Potentially dangerous exercises...

[Boerseun]

I saw the "Running" thread in the Watercooler, and wondered...

How healthy is running, in any case?

In the old days, we weren't expected to survive much beyond 30. All you had to do was to breed as soon as puberty is reached, and raise at least two kids to the age where they can fend for themselves. Doubtless, birth rates were high, but so were mortality rates. If only two survived for each couple, the species would be maintained.

We also did a lot of running, in hunting and evading predators. But seeing as we weren't built to last much longer than, say, our thirties, it won't become apparent that running will screw up your knee joints and your spine later on in life. So, we kept on running, mostly 'cause we didn't have cars, I guess, and also because by the time spinal damage from running became apparent, we have already procreated. So, it wouldn't have been an evolutionary disadvantage if running was indeed detrimental.

Today, we run for fun, fitness, and competition.

But is it healthy, at all? I mean, humans are the only mammals to have morphed our spines into an upright position. Our hips are unique, modified for this specific purpose. Chimps and bonobos are conceivably on the same evolutionary path, but they still prefer 'knuckling' it, their hips still don't allow a 100% upright posture. But even with our greatly modified hipbones and spines, we suffer from back problems like few other spined animals! So, we're not completely there, yet. Our spines probably have a bit to go still before being 100% adapted to our posture. And this being the case, isn't it harmful to be pounding and compacting your spine, knee joints, ankles, hip bones etc. through running? Isn't cycling or swimming a much better choice?

Does running leave any long-term effects? Do you know of any? Do you feel any soreness in joints or in your spine after running quite a distance?

[Chacmool]

We know for a FACT that tripping over a cat is a dangerous exercise...

[Jay-qu]

well im young, ask me in 20 years I may say it was a terrible mistake! on the other hand it may not be

[ronthepon]

Now seriously, Boerseun, you can't really say that running is unlike other factors that put stresses on the body.

Now in the young, when growth is the primary thing for the body, running will use up muscle, will damage bones etc.
However, the body repairs the damage faster than running destroys, the nett result being increase in body muscle, stamina(the ability of muscles to use oxygen properly) and an almost nil damage to the skeleton in the... er... long run.

However, as you grow up, get older than 30 years of age, the body quits the 'growth' phase.
Muscle mass begins to reduce, bone density begins to reduce after about 40-50 years of age.
Now, the body cannot cope up with the damage repairing it once used to.

So naturally you'll not enjoy the +es of running anymore.

Now take my case. I took on hardcore basket ball when I was twelve. I used to strain my knees like shit. On many ocassions, they used to develop arthiritis like symptoms for months altogether.
I had to resort to playing tennis with my knees tightly straight. It used to be a problem.

As time went along, the symptoms began to dissappear, and I could strain my knees as much as I wanted without and problems.

But I am sure that had I done it at an age of...say... 45, I'd be bedridden for months, and would be strictly forbidden by the doc to play.

[somasimple]

Here is a better list =>

http://www.housegymnastics.co.uk/

[GAHD]

er, yeah, I'm thinking running on concrete is bad for you. Try running on grass

One exercise I know to be dangerous is "dead lifts"; where you find whatever weight you can lift off the ground only 1ce before needing rest, drop it to about 80% weight and then do sets of 5-8 reps. Using proper form is very important, as deadlifting puts a high degree of strain on all your joints from the neck down. For my personal form of deadlifting I include a calf-raise at the end.

In the end all excercise is potentially dangerous if done incorrectly for how your body is built.

[OpenMind5]

Any time you exercise, your putting alot of stress on your body. Its a work out.
It has been shown that running can make you short though. Due to running on a had surface like pavement, it really does a thing on your knees.

As for dangerous exercises...try curling a rabid monkey.

Their is always danger in doing things. There is always a chance of pulling a muscle or bracking a bone. Long term problems are out weighed by the good. Trust me.

-J

[cwes99_03]

If we are talking about excessive exercise, then look at women runners who stop having a period due to a loss of body fat. They also have little to no feminine form as breast tissue is largely fatty deposits.

[Mercedes Benzene]

Just like any exercise, certain precautions must be taken to avoid any long-term damage.
Running is an excellent cardio-aerobic workout, but can in fact, be very damaging to the skeletal and muscular structures of the human body.
For instance, proper stretching and warm-ups are necessary to prevent shin splints.
Also, proper footwear will help prevent injury to the foot.

Exercise wisely, and running can be very safe and beneficial.

[TheFaithfulStone]

After reading this thread, I've decided to keep to my current policy of avoiding all exercise of anything but my typing fingers and brain.

Good to know I'll live to be 100!

TFS