What are the immediate effects of running on the skeleton?

Answer 1

Like walking, running is a load-bearing exercise (unlike, for example, swimming). As long as you are warming up properly, training progressively, and allowing your body to recover completely between runs, it should not have any immediate effects on your skeleton. Assuming that you are getting proper nutrition, over time, though, your bones will become stronger from the running.

Eventually, however, running is not sustainable for many people. Walking is a more natural exercise than running, and it is much less hard on your body and will still strengthen your bones. For the long term, consider substituting cardio brisk walkingfor running.