Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Farah Jarjous via Facebook on 12/09/2010 17:30:02

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: Farah Jarjous via Facebook on 12/09/2010 17:30:02

Farah Jarjous via Facebook asked the Naked Scientists:
   
If you dream that you're running, you wake up tired. Is that because your brain believes that you were actually running? And do you burn calories?

What do you think?

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: Geezer on 13/09/2010 04:29:17

I sort of doubt it, but it might be good if we were able to dream away our excess fat.

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: neilep on 13/09/2010 10:39:14

With all the "exercise" I do in my dreams ewe'd think I'd be super fit !

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: Don_1 on 13/09/2010 13:15:38

I really must stop dreaming of eating pies.

Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: tommya300 on 13/09/2010 13:42:10

Quote from: Farah Jarjous via Facebook on 12/09/2010 17:30:02

Farah Jarjous via Facebook asked the Naked Scientists:
   
If you dream that you're running, you wake up tired. Is that because your brain believes that you were actually running? And do you burn calories?

What do you think?

Your answer may lie within the question, Why we need sleep?

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: echochartruse on 15/09/2010 23:36:23

Once read about a prisoner kept in solitary confinement who had no room to move but would imagine doing exercises, walking running etc. He was later released and found his muscles were like an athletics? Even though he was virtually unable to move in confind area he was given. Will try to find reference.

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: imatfaal on 16/09/2010 09:42:04

Echo
It was Charles Bronson (not the actor) - a very violent welsh/english prisoner who is/was kept in close confinement for much of the time.  He has published two books of isometric (or close to isometric) muscle and fitness regimes.  Many people in wheelchairs or with other physical disabilities find the books remarkably good.  Here is a link to the Amazon page for one of his books  Solitary Fitness (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solitary-Fitness-Charles-Bronson/dp/1844543099) .  Please don't be charmed though - he is a vicious man wiki link  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bronson_(prisoner))

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: echochartruse on 16/09/2010 18:27:03

Imatfaal, thank you.
It must have been a big influence on my life as I still practice isometrics.

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: imatfaal on 17/09/2010 12:50:09

Quote from: echochartruse on 16/09/2010 18:27:03

Imatfaal, thank you.
It must have been a big influence on my life as I still practice isometrics.

Me too - trouble is I practice isotonics at the same time.

Title: Does running in a dream burn calories?
Post by: thedoc on 10/12/2010 15:32:59

We discussed this question on our  show

Click to visit the show page for the podcast in which this question is answered. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/show/2010.09.12/) Alternatively,