Over 50? Run for Your Life!

Running is a hit or miss type of activity-you either love it or hate it. However, a recent report in the Archives of Internal Medicine (November 11, 2002) may just convince all of us to hit the pavement. A new study conducted from 1984 to 1997 has found that people over 50 who run on a regular basis live longer and fare better during life than non-runners. Participants in the study who were runners had lower rates of cancer and heart disease, and were slower developing age-related, limiting disabilities than their non-running counterparts. In addition, non-runners involved in the 13-year study were more than three times as likely to die from various illnesses while participating in the study. To further the findings, researchers took a look at those who had only recently begun a running program. Surprise! Even these participants reaped the benefits of the activity.