Not so fast - new research has found that regular runners may have shorter life expectancy than non-runners.
The news is surprising, with running thought to be one of the most beneficial and versatile exercises on the table. Whether it's for weight loss, maintaining fitness, increasing cardiovascular capabilities, easing cholesterol and blood pressure levels or even stress management, most aspects of physical health have thought to respond positively to a track regime.
However, new studies presented at the American College of Cardiology's annual meeting suggest that a dedicated daily running plan may not be the best option for runners hoping to boost their longevity. Instead, a 'moderate' schedule, not exceeding two to three hours per week, was found preferable by the researchers, and ultimately the kindest to runners' lifespans - not to mention easier on their joints and muscles.
The study examined data from over 3,800 runners with a mean age of 46. All of the runners had participated in the Masters Running Study, an online study of training information. Of those surveyed, almost 70 percent said they ran more than 20 miles each week. The study also took into consideration the runners' family medical history, including key cardiac risk factors such as cholesterol and blood pressure. The survey also asked about runners' self-medicating habits with over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen. However, concrete reasons for why excessive running contributed to earlier death were not established.
Dr. Martin Matsumura, the study leader, was quick to assure dedicated runners that their habit was not tantamount to a death sentence. "Our study didn't find any differences that could explain these longevity differences," he said. "I certainly don't tell patients 'Don't run.' What we still don't understand is defining the optimal dose of running for health and longevity."
However, Matsumura does urge regular runners to exercise caution and restraint, and to stay abreast of new research that delves further into the effects of frequent running.
