Health Benefits for Runners

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Studies have shown the health benefits of running to be tremendous, reducing your chances of everything from the common cold to cancer. Running is among the best aerobic exercises for physical conditioning of your heart and lungs. It helps ensure the efficient flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body, things that are proven to help to decrease the risk of a heart attack.

Running -- like other types of exercise -- is a great stress-reliever and may even relieve mild depression. Many runners enjoy reaching the "runner's high" -- that euphoric, clear, and calm state they feel after a long run.

Research shows that healthy adults who exercise regularly are generally happier than those who don't. As a runner, you'll likely feel more energetic and creative.

Running helps you improve your fitness and s*****ina. As a weight-bearing exercise, running also increases bone density, which can fend off osteoporosis.

Although running is a healthy activity, you should get medical clearance before you start a running program. Another Health Benefit for Runners

Now a recent study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise says that regular long-distance running can lower the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

The National Runners' Health Study, which monitored more than 62,000 men and 45,000 women, found that men who ran two or more marathons per year were 41 percent less likely to suffer from high blood pressure, 32 percent less likely to have high cholesterol, and 87 percent less likely to be diabetic than non-marathoners. Those who ran only one marathon every two to five years also had significantly lower risk for these conditions than non-marathoners.

But you don't have to run marathons to benefit: Even runners who didn’t run marathons but included longer runs as part of their usual exercise routines were less likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

“All forms of regular exercise provide important health benefits,” said Paul Williams, Ph.D., author of the study. “But these data suggest there may be heightened benefits for those who make the exceptional effort and commitment.”

Lower Prevalence of Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia, and Diabetes in Marathoners
http://www.acsm-msse.org/pt/re/msse/abstract.00005768-200903000-00006.htm;jsessionid=Jydfl2GpHRRnpStG9lJdyb35jxhccct4NMGW9spqqpqPhS8ryLFn!289474761!181195629!8091!-1


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