If running is bad for you (knees, feet, etc.) why does everyone do it?

Question

Every school has a track and cross country team, as well as football, basketball, soccer, baseball, EVERYONE RUNS!!!

I have trouble believing that running is bad for you.

Answer 1

running isn't bad for you unless you do too much of it

Answer 2

running isn't bad for you. You'd think it'd be bad for your knees and such, but your body adapts and grows stronger. this might sound weird but your bones actually grow differently so they are strong enough for what you need them for. So really, runners have better knees than anyone

Answer 3

If you are physically able and run correctly, it isn't bad for you.  Severely overweight people may go out and think "I'll run a few miles" but with their weight, running will damage their joints and such.  There are also many other factors.  That's why on teams we need physicals to make sure we're able to handle it.

Once you're in it, you grow stronger.  You have to be gradual though.  People tend to be too ambitious and push too much and that leads to injury.  Good coaching, good shoes and such will lessen this chance of injury greatly.

I.E.  Running on sand strengthens your feet and ankles but you have to start out on wet , packed sand.  Go for the soft sand right away and you might just tear your achilles tendon.

Answer 4

Running is bad for you if you do it wrong.  Most people who run don't do it under the supervision of a coach, like most school athletes.  Coaches can tell you how to run so you don't mess up your knees, ankles, shins, etc.; they can tell you what shoes will best facilitate healthy running; they can tell you what workouts suit your fitness level; etc.

Most people who run don't have access to that kind of advice.  That's when running can be dangerous.  If you're going to start running, it's important to do your research first.  Make sure you have the right kind of shoes, and that you start slow so you don't burn out.  www.coolrunning.com has a great beginner's running program called "Couch to 5k" that can really help people who want to start running do it safely and effectively.  

I would say that people who run even though they know they aren't really doing it right do it because it burns a lot of calories and is a good stress reliever.  It's also free, if you have shoes (i.e. you don't have to go to a gym or be on a team to do it).

Answer 5

Running might be bad for you in some ways, but so is being physically inactive....so I guess it's the lesser of the two evils, in some cases.

Answer 6

RUNNING IS NOT BAD FOR YOU IT STRENGTHENS YOUR LEGS AND KNEES DUH!!!!