Dave’s Diary: Proof is in the Putting… On Running Shoes

To run or not to run… that is the question. The answer is – not so fast. Literally!  Yes, you should get moving, but you don’t have to set any land speed record in the process in order to gain maximum health benefits! You could add about six years to your life by jogging regularly, according to Danish researchers with the Copenhagen City Heart Study. "The results of our research allow us to definitively answer the question of whether jogging is good for your health," Peter Schnohr, chief cardiologist of the long-running Copenhagen City Heart Study.

Okay, but what exactly does the good doctor mean by jogging? The good news is that you don't actually need to do that much to reap the benefits. Over the 35-year study period among all 20,000 participants, 10,158 non-joggers died and 122 joggers died. This equates to a 44 percent drop in the risk of death for both male and female joggers. Specifically, Schnohr's team found that male joggers can extend their life by 6.2 years and women by 5.6 year and a nice steady pace is much more important than speed. 

Lace up, and hit the trail for longer life and good health!