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Do you feel like a Ferret?
A recent study conducted at the University of Arizona in Tucson delved into the question of whether humans and other species were driven to run because of their evolutionary history. After all, primeval man had to run after his dinner on a daily basis as do the animals in the wild. Moreover, did we develop a reward response to this aerobic activity in order to guarantee our continued existence? I definitely get the runner’s high after a good-long-run, so much so that I crave the next run even though I do not actually enjoy the act of running while engaged in it.
So when neuroscientist conducted this experiment they used test subjects who were runners and non-runners. When comparing humans to Ferrets for instance, the human test subjects had increased levels of endocannabinoids, the chemical that alters one’s mood. The Ferrets who represented the non-runners–as a rule ferrets don’t run much–did not show any neurobiological pleasure from running. So now the question which remains unanswered is why do most humans hate running if in fact this is part of our evolutionary drive? Or more fitting for this discussion site is whether you ladies get the pole high?http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/the-evolution-of-the-runners-high/
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14 Replies
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I definitely get poler’s high. I never used to run before I started poling (I never did much of anything for that matter) but now I’m finding many activities like running a joy simply because it fine tunes my body for pole. I am starting to crave a good run (started jogging/running about 2 months ago) just as I crave a long hard pole session. My only weakness is my right knee. I’ve been doing strengthening excersizes for my knees in order to keep running in order to keep poling. Basically, any activity that will sharpen or boost my pole skills, I am on it. 😉
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if you're interested in the evolutionary theory of running drive, you should REALLY read born to run by christopher macdougall =) endocannibanoids aren't the only neurotransmitter involved either– there are a TON of studies about endorphins as well! really interesting research.
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I fall into the "hate running" column. I tried doing it years ago (when I was way more fit and younger) with one of my boyfriends. I never got runners high or any desire to run. It was more like "do I have to?" everyday. The only reason I did it was because HE needed to. He was overweight and out of shape.
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I'm not sure most humans hate running….I wonder if they've studied that? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
While I love running myself, I also get the "endorphin high" from pretty much any moderate-strenuous physical activity…dancing, swimming, cycling, rock climbing etc. Oh, and pole dancing too, of course!
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I'm also in the "strongly dislike" category. LOL I'm not sure I would run if I was being chased…well, I guess it would depend on what's chasing me!
I get the biggest "high" from pole dance, I would guess it's because I enjoy it the most. Weight lifting and flexibility training also raises my endorphins. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif
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I used to love running. There was a time in my life when I NEEDED it. For my own sanity. I couldn't wait for Saturdays when I combined my long distance and hill training midday and would just run it out around Diamond Head. I got out of the habit kind of around the same time I started teaching/rehearsing aerial so much more and found a job that I liked, and haven't gotten back into it. Because I can't be tired during aerial! And my sanity is no longer in immediate danger, I guess. 😉
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I was a runner before I was a poler and now it's a bit of a mission balancing the two to an adequate level but it's worth it as I find them quite complementary. When I was younger though I hated running and it was a family joke for a while about how weird it was that I started doing half marathons when I used to do just about anything to get out of the mandatory cross country.
My problem is the running that makes you faster is not the running I enjoy. I'm incredibly happy when I get out on an interesting trail run and the meditation properties of it are so beneficial. Get me doing speedwork though and it's a real challenge to remember why I love running.
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I'm a horrible runner. I'm slow and I have poor form which I can't seem to correct. I'm just an awkward person. Still, I love running. I can clear my head and it's peaceful for me. When I'm upset, I normally have the urge to walk or run to get it out and make me feel better.
I hate that I can't really run because of a knee injury that requires surgery. I've been putting the surgery off for almost 5 years because the problem doesn't bother me in everyday life, but only in high impact situations or if I've been doing A LOT of walking in a day. I can make it through almost a mile before my knee hurts so bad I have to stop, which is a shame.
I wish I could run more. I always hated running when I was little. I had a bad experience on the playground as a child where I was teased for my "style" of running and from that time on, I just would rather not run so I wouldn't look awkward. When I went to college and had to run though, I found a love for it. I can't say that the running feeling I get is the same as my poling feeling, but I love pole too. Pole just isn't "mind-clearing" for me.
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I used to run track when I was in JR High and I was really good —– I was a sprinter– i never could get into cross country…I majorly dislike CC running . But due to a knee injury I stopped my freshman year in HS. I recently started jogging/running again but stopped when I got laid off a cpl months ago (I ran in the neighborhood of my work office before work 2-3x a week) but like hyperhorsegirl my form sucks and I haven't been able to really correct it either. Add to that that I was never good at or liked to do long distance running in the first place and I too am clumsy. I feel like I am running in slow mo when I run and my feet and legs feel strange and I feel like I probably look like a dork but I still try to do it from time to time because I do feel good and energized after a run…
However, running on a treadmill as opposed to outside, definitely is more doable and has less dork factor for me.
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If I know that I am going to work out, I always get a really excited feeling(like a high) and afterwards I feel upbeat and happy that I got to do ithttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
I would rather pole than run…
@wrinkle have you been on a pole yet? It's better than running and a great addiction https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
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Not yet, though Veena did promise me a lesson so I can better understand what all the rave is about. Also, it will help me with writing my article about her! These days I am helping my husband get back into shape after two severe back operations. Only now, after two years of pain and discomfort, is he able to finally begin to strengthen his body. I'm his personal trainer for now, helping him get motivated for our workouts; we cycle together, swim, hike and go to the gym. It's slow and painful for him, but I believe that eventually he will get stronger and healthy once again! I'll tell you what though, when you witness someone who was once active and strong, suddenly lose his ability to freely move without debilitating pain, it really humbles you, and teaches you to appreciate your body.
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@ wrinkle
Oh man that must be tough for him to go through. I understand that completely My mom had hip replacement and she just took up ballet again,while she is still in extreme pain from the change 2 yrs after it. I was really active and strong before I just delivered my baby 17 weeks ago and although I didn't return to pole w/ pain, I do find a huge appreciation for every move that I can once again do. My mind knew it b/c I had done it for 6 years, but parts of my body were not the same due to the pregnancy. Before my pregnancy I could do 20 pull ups no problem and now I am just getting to 1 again! I also had to relearn even the simplest things like climbing on the pole. I am now back to all of my previous trics after 9 weeks back on the pole and I am really proud of where I was then and where I am now.
all of the hype w/ pole is simple really. Before the pole, I spent 5-6 days in the gym for 2 hrs. I even pushed 400lbs on the sled(adding 360 of weight and assuming that the sled itself was 40lbs.) 200lb men would watch me and shake their heads and wonder how my 108lb frame was able to press 4x my weight. I'd giggle as they would try to pick up the weights to see if they were real after I was done my sets…then I found pole and I couldn't even climb the pole. I atfirst wanted to give up….but I stuck to it seeing that after my first pole session I was so sore all throughout my back. I knew that there was something amazing to this art that we do. It gets us strong in ways the gym just can not. For every move, we are using our own body weight so we get super strong, super quick. I LOVE it and know you will too…
Happy polinghttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
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I will keep you posted for sure!
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i go for a little run once in a while, but mostly hate it. i have never gotten a high from running. even back in high school when i would run regularly. always feel like crap afterward. i don't like aerobic exercise in general. sometimes i even feel like crap after a good pole practice, LOL. but definitely get an emotional high from pole! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif
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