Sprinting naturally builds up a runner's endurance because it trains the body to utilize more energy faster. “When you sprint, you are using maximum power and muscle endurance,” says Aaptiv trainer Jaime McFaden. ... And studies show that sprinting actually has the same long-term fitness benefits as distance running.

Does sprints improve running?

Sprints help a runner to improve in terms of speed and power. Running eight or 10 30-meter sprints with six or eight minutes of active recovery between sprints is a great way to improve your speed and form, and then following this with a four or five mile run is good for your endurance.

How often should you run sprints?

Incorporating sprints into your exercise routine is an efficient and effective way to train your anaerobic system, burn calories, and improve the lean muscle mass in your legs. Since these types of workouts are very demanding, you should only perform sprint intervals two to three days a week.