Need an additional incentive to hit the track this summer, besides staying in shape? A new study by the American College of Sports Medicine found that, on average, runners live longer than non-runners. The conclusions are still preliminary until the study is peer-reviewed, but the results are encouraging.
The research team looked at 53,000 cases in which cardiovascular problems played a role in causing death in subjects between 20 and 100 years old. According to U.S. News & World Report, participants in the study had undergone a medical exam between 1971 and 2003. Conclusions were based on data in questionnaires completed by individual members of the group. Around 27 percent of those studied claimed they ran. According to the National Death Index, the runners had a 20 percent lower mortality rate, at least from heart problems.
Leading an active lifestyle and having a healthier body can reduce stress, sickness and other maladies. This translates into more time for work, play and family, which is a strong incentive to run for elite athletes and weekend warriors alike.