Saturday, August 13, 2011

Exercises to Increase Your Stamina

Running is a great form of exercise to increase overall stamina. Many runners have great stamina due to the overall fitness level achieved by running. Running allows for proper breathing, posture, and an increase in metabolic rate. An increase in stamina can be obtained from a variety of running exercises, which can be done by beginning or advanced runners.
Running Hills
Running hills will allow for a great increase in stamina. Running hills will alter the perceived exertion that is experienced. Perceived exertion is how hard the body feels it is working. After running hills that produce a great amount of exertion, other exercises and even running on flat land will be much easier. Because the perceived exertion has been increased, the stamina gets increased, as well.
Fartlek
Fartlek running or training can also increase overall stamina. Fartlek, which is Swedish for "speed play," entails shorts durations of speed at different points during running. After the speed period, there is a recovery period that will alter the perceived exertion. The recovery period of running will now feel easier, and this is how stamina is increased.
Long-Distance Running
Long-distance runs can help to increase stamina, as well. During long-distance runs, the speed is lowered, so the distance is usually longer. During longer distances, muscle efficiency is increased. Improved muscle efficiency increases stamina. To increase stamina, it is best to alternate long- distance running with days of sprinting and short-distance running.