Running as a Fundamental Training Tool

In the sports world, there is often a debate about whether chess or bridge can be categorized as a sport. According to the definition, sport is essentially a form of human activity aimed at improving physical fitness through competition. While the competition is correct, physical fitness in chess is significantly inferior to mental fitness. However, there are arguments that chess also improves physical fitness. During long-running tournaments, chess masters can lose up to 2 kilograms. This is an effect of stress, limited food, but also enormous mental exhaustion. The brain after a four-hour game demands not only more glucose but also oxygen. The organizers of chess camps emphasize that sports shoes are obligatory. In addition to improving the game of chess, such a camp also includes running. Chess players (even those with large bodies) have repeatedly emphasized in the media how important running is for them.

Running is the most obvious and natural form of movement for humans. The legendary Emil Zatopek used to emphasize the natural nature of this kind of activity by saying that "birds fly, fish swim, humans run". This phrase has become ingrained in the history of sports, showing that we as humans are meant to run. Running serves not only as a means to reach goals faster. The wide application of running in sports stems from its universality. Running in the most fluid form ensures proper warm-up, stimulates most muscles, activates the respiratory and circulatory systems, oxygenates the brain. The fact that it is used in every discipline is mainly due to the simplicity of this discipline. Before training, it is easier to start with warm-up exercises, or perhaps with a calm, warming-up run? Running is not only a slow run, but also middle, fast runs, and sprints. Running offers us a broad range of options. The intensity of the run chosen depends on the goals we want to achieve.

It has been known for a long time that running neutralizes stress and has a positive impact on our well-being. Thanks to endorphins. However, there is another aspect. The brain, according to scientific studies, can atrophy like muscles. The electrical brain activity that occurs during exercise, improves thought processes and creativity. Therefore, it is not surprising that, for example, the chess players mentioned earlier have reserved time in their schedule for running. Analyzing the above arguments about the function of the brain, it is hard not to agree with the thesis that every professional athlete runs. Running is not only a training method, but also a necessity - and I am not afraid to use this word - for our survival. If we have been mistaken in our assessment of such a simple activity as running, it is time to think about it.