Does running build muscle? We know it works for fitness, but does running build muscle? And are there other physical benefits? When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Click here’s how it works. How does running help to build muscle? How long does it take to build muscle? What does muscle building actually mean? Plenty of people take up running to get fit, but does running build muscle? If you consider professional athletes, some runners tend to look more muscular than others. Researchers reported in 2020 in the British Sports Journal that many professional sprinters incorporate muscle building into their routines for improved running economy, a faster time trial and faster maximal sprint speed, but not all runners emphasize this. So does running only build muscle when you add in a strength training program, using movements loaded with kettlebells, barbells and the best adjustable dumbbells to supplement your pavement-pounding sessions? What are the muscle fiber types?

And what muscles are used for running? We combed through the latest research to find out whether or not this sport can really help you gain muscle. How does running help to build muscle? In a 2017 study by experts from the Department of Kinesiology at Taylor University, 12 university students and five older subjects were studied as they embarked on a 10-week high-intensity interval training program. While HIIT can be a form of running, does running at a consistent pace build muscle? A study published in the journal Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, discovered that when you run, you use repetitive weight-bearing motion to work various muscles in your lower body, including your glutes, quads, and hamstrings. The study also concluded that the best way to promote muscle growth with cardio is to exercise for 30-40 minutes four to five days a week with an intensity of 70-80% heart rate reserve.

This heart rate reserve is the difference between your maximum and resting heart rates. However, just running will not be enough to build muscle. If increased muscle mass is your goal, incorporating sprint and muscle training, like HIIT, can help you gain muscle mass, according to the Journal of Exercise Science. Alongside your training, getting enough rest, listening to your body, and eating a nutritionally balanced diet will also help build towards your goals. We have advice on what to eat before a run if you need it. The joints, muscles and tendons come under strain as you pound the pavement. How long does it take to build muscle? Defining how long it takes to build muscle is tricky as it depends on a variety of factors. From your body to your eating plan to your training regimen, there are a lot of factors in how long building muscle can take. According to a 2019 study by the Institute of Sports Sciences, it can take six to 10 weeks depending on the type of training you do.

Skeletal muscles, which are worked during a run, have two types of fibers; slow- and PrimeBoosts.com fast-twitch. Slow-twitch muscles are fatigue resistant and focus on small movement as well as posture control; these are aerobic and are used during long-distance runs. On the other hand, fast-twitch muscles focus on big powerful forces for a short time. You will typically find these are used when sprinting. According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, ‘Power athletes have a higher ratio of fast-twitch fibers (e.g., sprinters 70-75% type II), whereas for endurance athletes have Read more slow-twitch fibers (e.g., marathon/distance runners 70-80% type I) (2).’ The difference of emphasis in these fibers is why sprinters tend to look more built when compared with cross-country and long-distance runners - fast-twitch muscle fibers bring the explosive power needed to sprint. So, where does running build muscle? On the lower half of your body - if you want to get a stronger core, you'll have to try out other exercises.