Runner’s High – Neurochemical happiness on the track

Euphoria, ecstasy, adrenaline – The runner’s high suprises athletes right in the middle of a strenuous run. Giving all they have, with enormous exertion, a feeling of elation suddenly appears. Close to their physical and mental limits only moments before, runners suddenly become euphoric and forget about the pain. An exceptional neurochemical condition mobilises unexpected reserves of strength. But how do runners reach this state and what exactly happens in the body of the athlete?

Vast exertion as precondition
Runner’s high is a condition that develops and feels differently for each person individually. Some athletes never experience it, some in very dissimilar ways. To feel this total euphoria, runners need an extremely high intensity of physical strain. Relaxed endurance runs or short distances do not lead to this state. Only overcoming the own pain barrier makes the adrenaline kick possible. But also long and intensive exertion cannot guarantee a runner’s high. Even experienced and well-trained endurance athletes are not able to force it.

What happens during the runner’s high?
The release of endorphins, triggered by the brain, is a well-known phenomenon in extreme and stressful situations. The effect of these substances is similar to the one of drugs – It causes the person to feel completely happy and energetic. Research has been settling on the endorphin-theory to explain the runner’s high in scientific terms. Pushing one’s body during endurance sport further and further, past the own limits, releases endorphins, which can result in states of elation. The reason for this process is simple: It is a natural defence mechanism. The endorphins relieve pain quickly and effectively. At the same time, the “thrill” is motivation for new maximum performances.

Without training no runner’s high
Ambitious athletes might be tempted to run faster and harder on the track. But it is important to point out that not every athlete can reach the runner’s high. Many runners never find their way to the ultimate adrenaline kick. A continuous and controlled training to gradually improve the own performance is essential to approach the runner’s high. Forcing it at all costs, however, applies neither to the athletic spirit, nor healthy training. Motivated endurance athletes should take the support of running computers to monitor their personal development. Activity monitors, such as the JogStyle from Omron, provide and save important data like distance, time and speed. Thereby, the personal performance can be monitored, analysed and improved – The basis for reaching maximum performance in sports, and maybe even the runner’s high.

More information about JogStyle as well as further articles about “healthy running” are available at www.myjogstyle.com.

About Omron Healthcare
Committed to improving people’s lives, OMRON Healthcare provides clinically proven, innovative medical equipment for health monitoring and therapy. Our product portfolio includes blood pressure monitors, respiratory therapy devices, electronic fever thermometers and activity monitors as well as body composition monitors and professional medical devices.
OMRON Healthcare Group is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. OMRON Healthcare Europe B.V. is the healthcare division for Europe, Russia, Middle East and Africa, and provides service to customers in more than 60 countries through a powerful distribution network.

For more information, please visit www.omron-healthcare.com.

Contact for product enquiries:
OMRON HEALTHCARE EUROPE B.V.
Marco Buhr
Scorpius 33, 2132 LR Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Email: Marco_Buhr@eu.omron.com
Mobile: +31 (0) 615 95 08 26

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This release was published on openPR.