Research has already shown that running is an activity that can help us stay healthy for longer, but how much do we have to run to extend our lifespan? A new review suggests that no matter how little or how much we run, the exercise is linked with a significantly lower risk of death from all causes. Many studies have shown that running is a healthful form of aerobic exercise that has numerous benefits for both the body and the mind. For example, the authors of a 2018 study argued that running could help protect brain health, while older research has tied this form of physical activity to slower aging. But what link is there, if any, between running and mortality from all causes, and how does this activity affect the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease and cancer, in particular? Furthermore, if running can indeed lead to a longer lifespan, does that mean that more running offers an increased level of protection? These are the questions that researchers from Victoria University in Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and other academic institutions in Australia and elsewhere have recently aimed to answer. To this purpose, the investigators reviewed the relevant literature — including published papers, conference papers, and doctoral theses — looking at the potential links between running and death risk. Their findings appear in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The researchers caution that their investigation was observational and did not aim to establish cause. Moreover, they note that the studies that they looked at all varied in their methodology and cohort size, which may have affected the final results. Yet they remain confident that, generally speaking, running seems to help health, so they suggest that people consider taking it up. The authors conclude: "Increased rates of participation in running, regardless of its dose, would probably lead to substantial improvements in population health and longevity." (Credits: www.medicalnewstoday.com)
