Run for a Long, Healthy Life

Exercise and staying active have long been prescribed for healthy aging. Sure, we think exercise is good for us but does it really matter when it comes to fighting aging? I mean, time still passes even if you are running, cycling, lifting or doing yoga. How much can exercise reverse the effects of time?

Runners Age Better

Starting in 1984 (doesn't that seem like so very long ago?), researchers began surveying 284 members of a running club and 156 university faculty and staff (as a control). They diligently filled out surveys every year for 21 years. At the start of the study, all the participants were at least 50 years old. The runners were in better health than the control group in the beginning.

Running and Aging

After 19 years of annual surveys, 15% of the runners' group and 34% of the control group had died. Both groups had increases in disability, but the runners' group had less disability over the years. After 21 years, the difference in disability was widening, with the control group potentially losing some daily function.

But I Hate Running

That's OK. This study happened to use members of a runners' club. That doesn't mean that running itself is miraculous. The key here is to stay active and work exercise in to your life. Here's a few links to get you going:

• Learn to Love Exercise
• Hidden Benefits of Exercise
• Top Articles on Longevity, Aging and Exercise

_Source:

Reduced Disability and Mortality Among Aging Runners:A 21-Year Longitudinal Study.Eliza F. Chakravarty, MD, MS; Helen B. Hubert, PhD; Vijaya B. Lingala, PhD; James F. Fries, MD. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(15):1638-1646.