Forget the fountain of youth. If you’re seeking longevity, put on your running shoes instead.
Regular, vigorous running has been found to lower mortality and reduce disability – giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “Run for your life.”
It has long been known that there are health benefits to jogging – and any other type of physical activity.
But a recent study out of the Stanford University School of Medicine determined that older runners who had been jogging for more than 20 years were half as likely as their non-running peers to die early deaths. They also had fewer disabilities and more active, healthy years in which to enjoy life.
“If you had to pick one thing to make people healthier as they age, it would be aerobic exercise,” said James Fries, the study’s lead author, in a written statement.
From the results, it isn’t hard to understand why.