A new study coming from the American College of Cardiology may challenge what you have previously believed about running.
Running is something that is always associated with a healthy lifestyle. Running is a great way to burn calories and to get the recommended two and a half hours aerobic exercise we are supposed to have per week. But how much running is too much?
This study focused on 3, 800 participants over the age of 35.
They reported their weekly running averages, information about their cardiovascular health, and use of painkillers.
Almost 70% of the participants reported running more than 20 miles a week.
Researchers found that those who ran more than 20 miles a week don’t live as long as those who run less than 20 miles a week.
These long-distance runners were actually found to live as long as people who don’t run at all.
I am not saying that you should throw away those running shoes, because this research study simply showed that there is a correlation between running extremely long distances and a lower-life expectancy.
This correlation does not imply causation.
The researchers were unable to pinpoint exactly what lowers their life expectancy, and are continuing further research on this topic.
With all of this in mind, moderation is key.
Instead of running 20 miles a day, you would be better off changing your routine and broadening your fitness plan.
This may include a day of bicycle riding or even strength training.
This study in no way denounces running as something that is bad, it is merely stating that there is something wrong with running long distances and it must be further analyzed.
In 2012, Mayo Clinic did a study that found that excessive training could actually cause cardiovascular damage.
This damage can be anything from scarring to even enlargement of the heart.
Dr. James O’Keefe, a cardiologist at the Mid America Heart Institute, says that “You can do light to moderate exercise as long as you want.
We’re genetically designed for that kind of activity… We’re just not designed to run 26 miles at a time.”
The topic of running too much and the risks associated with marathon running has been a popular subject as marathons continue to be all the rage.
Henceforth countless studies have been done to look into this topic, and this is just the most recent study to make national headlines.
As always, it is important to look at a wide variety of studies as it is difficult to isolate the risks associated with excessive running from our other lifestyle choices.
At the end of the day no one knows your body like you do and your doctor.
Therefore you should consult with your doctor before you cut some miles off your run or decide that you want to run over 20 miles a day.
Regardless of your decision, running is a great source of exercise and there are certainly a lot more harmful activities out there than running too much.
Zachary Heppner
Viewpoints Correspondent
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