The link between running and longevity has not been well established until recently.
An interesting report in Straits Times Aug 14 (Mind Your Body) cites a Stanford University study that suggests that regular running can slow the effects of ageing. Published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the study tracks two cohorts - runners and non-runners - of 500 people over the age of 50. After 19 years, 34% of non-runners had died compared to only 15% of runners. Put differently, the results suggest that the survival rate of a person who is running regularly at the age of 50 and continue to run, has a 85% chance of making it to 69 years of age.
The benefits are not only in terms of survival rates, but also lower incidents of cancer, neurological diseases, inflections. Interestingly, there is no evidence that runners are more likely to suffer osteoarthritis or require knee replacements. However, the average running time falls as one ages - from 4 hours per week to 76 minutes per week.
Good enough evidence for me!
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