Cambridge lecturer advocates the benefits of 'slow running'

Runners trying to shave seconds of personal bests may be wise to slow down, ARU academics suggest

Runners worried about shaving seconds of personal bests may be wise to slow down, academics have suggested.

A lecturer and two PHD candidates at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), which is based in Cambridge, have argued that running slowly could have benefits.

Dr Dan Gordon, an associate professor in cardiorespiratory exercise physiology, said it could be better than training at higher intensities.

They added "slow running" was a trend which has started to "gain a foothold".

Runners have become "obsessed with time," said Dr Gordon in an article published by ARU.

"Amateur or professional, for most avid runners the aim is to get faster - constantly training in order to shave even just a couple of seconds off their marathon time or 5K pace.

"But one running trend that's started to gain a foothold in recent years is that of 'slow running'."

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The three academics said the idea behind the "slow running movement" is that anyone can run - regardless of ability.

'Beneficial'

"Fans of this approach say it has many benefits - not just for your health but also in how enjoyable you find running," the academics wrote.

"Research agrees, with evidence showing slow running may in some ways be more beneficial than training at higher intensities."

The academics said as speed increases, the more strain the body is put under. The greater the strain, the greater the risk of illness, infection and injury.

The article suggested that slow running may lead to more oxygen being delivered to "working muscles per heartbeat".

Running at a slow pace also causes the body to use stored fat for energy, the academics said.