In a unit on running, which health benefit is associated with sustaining moderate-to-vigorous running for extended periods?

In a unit on running, which health benefit is associated with sustaining moderate-to-vigorous running for extended periods?

• A. Mild hypertrophy primarily in major muscle groups of the lower extremities
• B. Large increases in upper-body muscle mass
• C. Decreased cardiovascular fitness
• D. No change in muscle size

Answer: (A)

Prolonged, moderate-to-vigorous running trains the leg muscles through repeated, endurance-type loading. Over time, this leads to mild hypertrophy of the major lower-extremity muscle groups (calves, thighs) as the muscles adapt to sustained use. This level of growth is common with endurance activity because the primary adaptations are improved endurance and efficiency, rather than large increases in muscle size like you’d see with heavy resistance training. The upper body isn’t loaded to the same extent by running, so large increases in upper-body muscle mass aren’t expected. Running also improves cardiovascular fitness rather than decreases it, and some change in muscle size in the legs is typical rather than no change at all. So the health benefit most aligned with extended, moderate-to-vigorous running is mild hypertrophy of the major lower-extremity muscles.

Prolonged, moderate-to-vigorous running trains the leg muscles through repeated, endurance-type loading. Over time, this leads to mild hypertrophy of the major lower-extremity muscle groups (calves, thighs) as the muscles adapt to sustained use. This level of growth is common with endurance activity because the primary adaptations are improved endurance and efficiency, rather than large increases in muscle size like you’d see with heavy resistance training.

The upper body isn’t loaded to the same extent by running, so large increases in upper-body muscle mass aren’t expected. Running also improves cardiovascular fitness rather than decreases it, and some change in muscle size in the legs is typical rather than no change at all.

So the health benefit most aligned with extended, moderate-to-vigorous running is mild hypertrophy of the major lower-extremity muscles.