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Running

✨ Speed at Your Fingertips

Running is a way of moving quickly on foot in which there are moments when both feet are off the ground. Like walking, it uses coordinated movements of the legs, arms, trunk, and feet, but the body leaves the ground between steps. Muscles in the legs and hips produce the force needed to move the body forward, while the arms help with balance and coordination.

During each stride, the body repeatedly absorbs and produces forces as the feet contact and push against the ground. Running therefore requires coordination, balance, strength, and control of movement. Children usually develop running after they have gained enough control to walk independently, although the age and way in which these skills appear can vary from one child to another.

Running can be part of play, daily movement, or organized sports. Children may run after a ball, race with friends, move between marked points, or simply explore how their bodies can move. A suitable surface and enough open space help reduce the risk of falls and collisions. Comfortable clothing and footwear appropriate for the activity can also make movement easier.

Children improve their running through repeated opportunities to move, change direction, stop, and start again. They do not all develop the same speed or coordination at the same time, and comparing children is not necessary. Regular active play helps strengthen movement skills while also giving children opportunities to learn how to control their bodies and adapt their movements to different situations.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that humans are among the best endurance runners on the planet? Even though we run slower than cheetahs, our ability to sweat allows us to run for a very long time without stopping to cool down. Over a very long distance like a marathon, a well-trained human can even beat a horse!

The word 'Marathon' comes from an old legend of ancient Greece. A soldier named Pheidippides reportedly ran 42 kilometers from the city of Marathon to Athens to announce a victory, before falling from fatigue. To pay tribute to him, this distance became the official length of the most famous of races!

Why do your cheeks get all red when you run? It's because your body sends more blood to your skin to release heat, like a radiator! Plus, running releases endorphins in your brain. These are magical molecules that take away pain and give you a feeling of happiness after the effort.