Will Strengthening Abs Make A Better Runner?

Question

(As above), Does it make a difference in Aerobic exercise? e.g 5 mile races.

Answer 1

yes it has helped me so much

strengthening your core allows you to run with your normal running form longer into the race even when you start tiring...this allows you to remain running controlled and not lose at much energy in the middle of races

strengthening your core also helps reduce injuries...a lot of runners i know had sore backs because they did not work their core enough

Answer 2

Yes, it will definitely help you especially in long races. Excercises like crunches, plankes, leg-lifts, push-ups ect. will all help you

Answer 3

Short answer. . .YES!!!

Here is the why.  We run with contralateral arms and legs (i.e. right arm moves with left leg, and vice versa).  We put so much power into the ground that we use our arm as a counterweight.  Since our arms are smaller than our legs, we use our abs (esp. the obliques) to stabalize our torsos.  If we did not our bodies would turn.  When we run only our legs and arms should be moving.  If we get trunk rotation (body twisting) then the likely culprit is weak abs.

For a long distance runner, this is still important.  The power is lowered per step but now your body is stabalizing over a long term.  So say you allow your upper body to move side to side, you are now taking energy away from your body moving forward.  If you want to run faster, you want to be efficient.  You want to use the muscles that make you faster while minimizing anything that is going to tire you out (i.e. trunk rotation) as you are running.

Good luck!