Running breaks down muscles?

Question

I heard that if you run a lot and try to build muscle mass at the same time (weight lifting), running has a negative effect, because it releases catabolic hormones that break down fat and muscles.

If this is true, is there anyway to prevent that?

Thanks,

Answer 1

Yes.  Doing sprints will help keep muscle mass because the anaerobic activity is about power.

Here is a funny thing though.  Bodybuilders and long distance runners are both training the same type of muscle fibers.  Sprinters train fast twitch muscles while body builders focus on slow twitch muscles.  If you look at the the training patterns of the significantly different looking athletes, you will see that they are both doing high repetitions of a certain weight.  LD runners are doing their body weight and bodybuilders typically do high repetitions of high weight which gives them mass but not much power.  They are still very strong, but they would have a slower 40 yd dash and lower vertical jump typical of a distance runner.  An olympic weight lifter would have a vertical jump closer to a sprinter (and most do have verticals of over 35 inches), because they are training their fast twitch muscles.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Long distance would have negative impact ..If you are trying to gain muscle mass do not do long distance running......Sprinting would be a more effective way 2-8 sec sprints this would have no impact on building muscle mass

Answer 3

Running a lot burns lots of calories which cause weight loss.

However, you can always eat more calories than you burn no matter how far  you run.

Lifting weights causes muscles to break down, which is why recovery or rest days are necessary.

If you eat healthy and schedule recovery during your programs you will not loss muscles.