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While treadmills can help maintain cardiovascular fitness, they cannot fully replicate the demands of outdoor running, particularly Singapore\u2019s heat and humidity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The physical demands of running in an air-conditioned environment are lower than that of the outdoors, said long-distance running coach Nicole Low.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYour heart rate doesn’t rise as much. Your body temperature doesn’t rise as much,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, when you return to the outdoors, you may not be used to the humidity again, you might feel that you’re overheating earlier on in the race.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pacing also differs. While the treadmill helps runners maintain a set pace, running outside requires people to regulate their own speed and effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cOutdoors, you are the one in control. So how well you pace it depends on your own ability and your own perceived effort,\u201d Ms Low said.<\/p>\n
Beyond pacing and heat exposure, indoor training also presents limitations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn a treadmill, it’s so much easier for us to take gels and water and hydrate ourselves,\u201d said Mr Ng Kai Yi, an Under Armour athlete preparing for next month\u2019s marathon.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we are outside, we would actually have to practice grabbing our water while running. So in terms of mimicking real race conditions \u2026 that practice portion is definitely missing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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