Spending just one to two hours a week jogging at an easy pace may help you live longer and improve your cardiovascular health, according to an analysis published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Danish researchers examined long-term data involving more than 5,000 joggers and non-joggers. Among the findings was evidence that running more frequently, for longer periods of time and at a faster pace didnt provide any more benefits than shorter, easier jogging workouts. Other studies have suggested that strenuous running programs may be unhealthy, though the risk appears to be small. If you run more than 20 miles a week and participate in marathons or other distance races, researchers say you shouldnt be alarmed by these studies. There are certainly benefits to be gained from being physically active on a regular basis. Instead, researchers say the takeaway message is that you dont need to run many miles and for many hours a week to improve your health and cut your mortality risk. In this study, for example, joggers who ran one to 2.4 hours per week had a 71 percent lower risk of death than sedentary non-joggers.
To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber.
Sign in
