Doctors Advise Runners to Avoid Injury Risks by Prioritizing Lifestyle Over Trends

Running's popularity is surging, particularly among younger demographics, fueled by the proliferation of running events and the ease of sharing achievements on platforms like Strava and social media. However, this trend is also driven by a fear of missing out (FOMO), leading many to engage in the sport without a proper understanding of training principles.

This lack of knowledge can negate the expected health benefits and increase the risk of injuries, making exercise habits unsustainable. Dr. Iman Permana, a family medicine specialist and lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, stresses the importance of integrating exercise into a lifestyle rather than merely following trends.

"Whatever the physical activity, if it concerns lifestyle, we must link it to long-term benefits, not just short-term gains," Dr. Permana stated. He highlights that regular and measured exercise offers significant physical and mental health advantages, including reduced risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, and improved mental well-being by lowering stress and anxiety.

Dr. Permana advises adhering to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations: at least 30 minutes of light physical activity daily, such as walking, or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, like running, spread across five sessions of 30 minutes each week. This approach ensures that the health benefits are truly realized.