According to the World Health Organization, over 3 million deaths each year are due to people not doing enough physical activity. New research has confirmed that any amount of running is good for your health, leading to a similar reduction in the risk of early death no matter how many hours you clock up a week or how fast you go. So that can be just once a week for 50 minutes, which keeps you living longer than no running at all.
The review of 14 studies and 230,000 participants revealed runners had a 27% lower risk of early death from any cause, a 30% lower risk of early death from cardiovascular issues (e.g. heart attack), and a 23% lower risk of early death from cancer.
Interestingly running much more, say every day, doesn’t confer a much greater reduction in early death. And neither does running fast.
The other benefits of running include improved mood, helps with depression and anxiety, supports weight loss, strengthens bone mass, improves cognitive function and reduces age-related decline, and reduces the risk of cancer.
So let’s all get out, enjoy the warm weather and go for a jog!
References:
- https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/04/any-amount-of-running-reduces-risk-of-early-death-study-finds
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/any-amount-of-running-has-substantial-health-benefits-new-research-finds-a4279311.html
- https://www.runnersworld.com/beginner/a20847956/6-ways-running-improves-your-health-0/