News: Can running shorten your life?

It can help you lose weight and de-stress, but according to a new study, running can also shorten your life.

The study, reports the Wall Street Journal, will be published in the British journal Heart, and shows that running can be more detrimental than beneficial for heart health.

According to the study, “Running too fast, too far and for too many years may speed one’s progress toward the finish line of life.’

Before you stash your running shoes for good though, keep in mind that (like most things related to health) moderation is key.

While the study found that those who run 20 to 25 miles per week have no advantage over non-runners, they also found that those who run less, and slower, do have a lower death rate.

Casual running can keep you healthy, and completing one marathon in your lifetime isn’t going to kill you. But, according to the editorial, “Chronic extreme exercise appears to cause excessive ‘wear-and-tear’ on the heart.’

In other words: Don’t sign up for a lifetime of marathons if your goal is longevity.

What do you think of this study? Are you a runner? Will you continue to run despite the results?

-Katharine Watts, Associate Web Editor

Related:
‘ 5 reasons to run
‘ How to fall in love with running
‘ 5k running plan