Is running all about lungs and legs?

Question

Is running all about lungs and legs?

Answer 1

Its mostly lungs and legs for longer distance running. As well as mental like the other guy said. But when it comes to sprinting or faster paced running, then your arm movement, and other upper body muscles start to come into play.

Answer 2

cardiovascular health is important, but i think a lot of it is mental. get into a good breathing rhythm and its alot easier. this is of course if you're in decent shape. if you're not in ok shape, you'll have to take it slow, muscular/skeletal fitness takes longer to build than cardio fitness.

Answer 3

stomach muscles and arms sometimes though not as much - and brain (mental)

Answer 4

That's part of it, yes....

You need strong legs so you don't hurt yourself, plus you work your legs the most. A person would run a lot faster with ripped, toned leg muscles than someone with flabby, untoned leg muscles.

You definately need strong lungs for running. You constantly need to work them so they are strong, plus you need to build up lung endourance because you run.

Running also works your core. A person will run faster if they have washboard abs than a person with a beer gut, its a proven fact. Runners depend on their core, so you constantly need to keep it in shape in order to run fast. Therefore, its also about core.

You also need your arms, believe it or not. Toned arms will help you run. Basically, a runner needs to be a piece of muscle. Toned, well muscled arms will help with endurance.

Running is also a mental game. You need to constantly think about your splits, whether you need to kick it up a notch or hang back, or stay the same pace. Its all about pacing yourself. Plus, you need a strategy for running. Do you want to start out slow, then build up  your speed, draft off of someone, or go out as the "rabbit" (pace setter, generally a really fast runner who makes everyone work) You really need to think, plus work your competition mentally, if you want to get far.

Therefore, running encorporates your whole body, not just your legs and lungs. A runner needs to be in excellent physical and mental condition if they want to be successful.

Answer 5

Actually by running it works alot of muscles.... u have to use stomach muscles while running  but not as much as you use you leg, arm, and shoulder muscles.... it wouldnt seem like u use ur arms but u do.... cause if u move ur arms while running and work on ur form it will make u run faster.... and if u keep ur arms tucked in u run faster....  and by swinging ur arms like u do when u run ur also working the shoulders...