Having recently completed his MBA at Western Governors’ University, Devon Berry has over 20 years of experience as a healthcare professional. He last served as the executive associate dean at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing, and considers health an integral part of his lifestyle. Devon Berry is currently training for the Portland Marathon.
An important part of marathon prep is incorporating cross-training, such as trail running. Trail running can be a great enhancement for road runners because the varied terrain and changes in altitude can boost stamina while the soft ground is easier on joints than the road. While other benefits can include mental acuity and a better mood from exercising in nature, there are three major health benefits of trail running:
Better Balance
Running on uneven trails engages small, stabilizing muscles normally not engaged in road running and lightens the load on major muscle groups. Neglecting the smaller muscles can cause the bigger muscles to compensate or overwork, which can lead to injury or running inefficiency.
Bigger Calorie Burn
A study in the Journal of Experimental Biology shows that walking on uneven terrain requires more energy than walking on smooth ground, engaging more muscle activity and metabolic expenditure. This intuitively extends to running—and explains why running in sand feels so much harder than the road.
Relieved Joints
Another health benefit of trail running is how easy it is on your joints compared to other surfaces. Trails—whether made of dirt or wood-chip—are softer than pavement and thus create lower overall impact and reduced pain while running.
Devon Berry 