Ulm, Germany, Burning calories during exercise not only reduces fatty deposits, but also smaller muscle mass involved if done excessively. Research on long-distance race participants showed a reduction in muscle mass of up to 7 percent.

TransEurope race-FootRace 2009 which cover the distance up to 4,500 km and lasts for 2 months was attended by 44 participants. After the race, its participants body weight decreased on average 5.4 percent due to burning calories to produce energy.

Weight loss largely triggered by the burning of fat, which on average reaches 50 percent of the total fat. But that alone is not enough, because some muscle mass is also used to meet the caloric needs so that an average shrinkage rate of 7 percent.

“From this research, we get number unique data, in relation to the influence of endurance sports like running a marathon to burn fat,” said Dr. Uwe Schutz of the University Hospital of Ulm, Germany.

This research proved that fat is the most affected tissue while running. The amount of fat burned in this sport is bigger than previously imagined, to the point of burning 50 percent of the total fat is not enough.

The longer a person running, the greater the need fat to produce energy. Therefore, if an athlete retiring after many years to pursue this sport, then the fat consumption should be restricted because of his body conditioned to store fat as a caloric reserve.

On the positive side, fats that protect the runners from the risk of muscle injury.Therefore, athletes can continue to run despite being suffered minor injuries due to inflammation of muscle tissue or intramuscular.