July 12, 2017

In a recent article, "Running as a Key Lifestyle Medicine for Longevity", the authors reviewed the impact of running on overall health. If running was a drug it would be a blockbuster! Here are some of the findings:

Runners have a 25%–40% reduced risk of early death and live approximately 3 years longer than non-runners.

Running is protective against both cardiovascular disease and cancer, the two leading causes of death in most developed countries including the US.

Running may be protective against mortality resulting from neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and respiratory infections.

Runners also tend to engage in other healthy behaviors that contribute to their increased longevity such as maintaining a normal body weight, not smoking, and consuming light-to-moderate amounts of alcohol.

The diagram below highlights the benefits of running: