The phenomenon of running as a sport is currently booming, especially among the younger generation. The dominance of running events in various cities and the ease of sharing achievements on fitness apps often trigger fleeting motivation, commonly known as FOMO (fear of missing out). However, health experts warn that participating solely based on trends without understanding proper exercise principles carries a high risk of injury and inconsistency.
Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, dr. Iman Permana, M.Kes., Ph.D., emphasized that exercise should be viewed as a long-term health investment. According to him, routine and measurable physical activity can lower the risk of degenerative diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as mental health issues like depression.
Referring to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, dr. Iman suggests a minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, which can be divided into several sessions. In practice, people are advised to apply the FITT principle—frequency, intensity, time (duration), and type of exercise—so that health benefits can be optimized while minimizing the risk of injury.
In addition to pacing training rhythms, technical preparation such as warm-ups, cool-downs, and selecting the right gear is crucial. Dr. Iman pointed out that using shoes unsuitable for the activity, such as wearing tennis shoes for running, can actually backfire on a runner's foot health. Therefore, individuals are encouraged to set clear targets and training strategies tailored to their respective physical conditions.
Furthermore, he stressed that the pinnacle of exercise commitment is when the activity becomes an integral part of one's lifestyle. A person can only be said to have reached this stage if they remain consistent even without trend pressure and feel uncomfortable when skipping their routine workout schedule. Driven by internal motivation, exercise transforms from a passing seasonal trend into an irreplaceable foundation of health.
