Benefits of endurance running

1 min read
Picture of Dr. Pasquale X. Montesano
Dr. Pasquale X. Montesano

Principal Orthopedic Spine surgeon at Montesano Spine & Sport.

Two runners jog away along a wooded path with the nearest shoe sole in focus

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Cardiovascular exercise is important for your body and comes with many benefits to your spine. Here is a list of some of the benefits:

  • Improves disc health: As you get older, the risk of a herniated disc increases. Herniated discs are painful, but there are ways to prevent them. Studies have shown that people who engage in endurance running are at less of a risk of getting a herniated disc and have healthier discs in general. 
  • Improves your lean mass: As you get older, your lean mass declines. Lean mass helps to improve your body’s functionality and health. Endurance runners tend to have better lean masses.
  • Improves your fat storage: Endurance runners store less fat and more muscle. Doing this helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and relieves pressure from your back. 

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