Running Outside or Treadmill Running

Running Outside or Treadmill Running
Humans are born to run, at least some are. Some run because they love to run and others run to stay in shape. No matter what the reason is as to why a person runs, running can be beneficial for their health. It is well known that regular exercise, such as running, is a total body workout. When a subject begins a running program the biggest benefit they will see is they will lose weight. Running is an aerobic exercise that involves the whole body and little equipment is needed to enjoy this activity. Runners have different choices from where they decide to run to which type of surfaces they prefer to run on.
After a subject decides to begin a running program, they are now faced with the dilemma of where to go. Do they head down to the beach and run on the path or do they go to the local fitness club and run on a treadmill? The question is do they choose outdoor running or treadmill running? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Everyone has a preference as to what kind of running they do, so it will be up to the individual as to what they will choose. Outdoor running gives the subject the pleasure of being in nature where they can enjoy the sights and sounds of the environment. They can choose their path to be challenging or easy.
It can be on the city streets or on rigorous trails in the mountains. The possibilities are limitless.
Some enjoy running with a significant other or a friend to help pass the time. Others choose to run in a group or a running club to stay motivated to continue running. Also, when the subject runs outside, they stay aware of their surroundings and their body constantly adjusts to the environment changes. However, outdoor running also exposes the subject to elements that make running challenging. During the winter, they face the cold, rain, snow, and slippery surfaces. During the summer, they are exposed to the heat, which can lower their energy level. The heat can also cause dehydration. Then of course there is pollution that can cause the subject to struggle to breath if they have allergies. If the subject has any injuries to their back or knees, they may experience increased pain due to the constant impact on hard surfaces. The subject also has uneven ground, rocks, potholes, and cracks to deal with that may cause them to fall. Then there are pedestrians, strollers, and vehicles that can block their path. An alternative to running outside is to choose to run on a treadmill. A treadmill is an exercise machine for running or walking while staying in one place.
A treadmill is usually in a controlled environment inside an air conditioned room. With this, the subject will not be exposed to the outside elements such as the sun, heat, rain or cold. If the subject has allergies, treadmill running is an alternative because they will not be out in the open. The treadmill belt has a spring that pushes the subject’s legs forward, giving them added energy. This in turn is easier on the subject’s joints, especially if they have back or knee problems. The treadmill has a continuous, smooth belt that can reduce the chance of injury to the subject because of its flat surface. Their running can be more consistent with no interruptions from traffic or pedestrians and they can run all year long. The other advantage of running on a treadmill is the subject can run in the comfort of their own home.
Yet, treadmill running can be very humdrum because there is no change of scenery. The subject also needs to work harder on the treadmill to get the same workout outdoors. In 1996,
Journal of Sports Sciences discovered, “Treadmill runners need to run at a one percent incline in order to get the same level of exercise that they would get running outdoors.” (as quoted in www.Livestrong.com. 2011). When the subject runs on a treadmill, they will most likely be running alone because of only one treadmill in the home. Another disadvantage of treadmill running is the proprioceptive perspective which is the unconscious ability to know the location of your body parts. The treadmill has a smooth surface therefore; it is easy to lose concentration and go off the belt.
There are advantages and disadvantages of running outside and running on a treadmill.
Depending on the subject they may prefer to run outside with a friend along a beach path or they may prefer to run alone on a treadmill in the comfort of their own air conditioned home. A subject may even prefer to alternate between outside running and treadmill running to vary their workout. Either way, each running choice can provide an exceptional workout, but it will ultimately be up to the subject as to what they will choose.

References
Lister, P. (2011, March). Treadmill running vs. outside running. Retrieved from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/380945