1) IMPACT.
A joggers stride has far more vertical impact on the ankle, knee, hip, and spine. Joggers tend to bring their body weight straight down through their feet into the ground.
However sprinters tend to propel themselves forward and push the ground behind them. A Sprinters’ foot spends much less time in contact with the ground.
2) OVERUSE.
A jogger will take roughly 750 steps per foot per mile. That’s 3,750 steps per foot for a 5 mile run.
A sprinter will take roughly 12 steps per foot for a 50 meter sprint. That’s 144 steps per foot for a 12 sprint workout. Couple that with the fact that a sprinters take less impactful strides and you can see that the wear and tear on joints is far less.
3) TIME.
A jogging routine typically takes at least 30-45 minutes.
A 50 meter sprint takes roughly 6 seconds. If you sprint 12 times, that’s 72 seconds of work time. If you’re rest time between sprints is 1 minute, then you’re workout is under 14 minutes. Not bad!!!!
4) BOREDOM.
Most people dread distance running outside, and it’s even worse on a treadmill. The stride is monotonous. There’s lots of time to think, which isn’t always a bad thing. However it’s estimated that 75% of thoughts are negative in nature.
There’s not much time to get bored when you’re sprinting. The sprint itself only lasts 3-15 seconds typically. If you’re rest time is a minute or so, it’s usually one of the quickest minutes of your life because you’re catching your breath and getting much needed rest.
5) MUSCLE GROWTH AND HORMONE BALANCE.
After about 30 minutes of aerobic cardio, we start to produce cortisol which is a stress hormone. This is not desirable if fat loss in the midsection of muscle toning is a goal. Distance running can actually burn muscle right off your body. (Think about what a marathon runners body looks like…pretty scrawny and sometimes sickly)
Sprinting is an anaerobic exercise. It promotes the production of anabolic hormones like testosterone and HGH. This helps to breed and tone muscle while burning fat. (Think about what an Olympic sprinter’s body looks like…pretty athletic with muscle tone, well shaped legs and butt, and a flat stomach)
TRAIN FOR WHAT YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE…a marathon runner or a sprinter.