Well, I hate this article! Anyone see this?

[clseale]

I'm not putting much stock in it. I'm obviously not changing my habits, but it will be interesting to see further studies.
www.cbsnews.com/news/too-much-running-tied-to-shorter-lifespan-studies-find/

Too much running tied to shorter lifespan, studies find



Running regularly has long been linked to a host of health benefits, including weight control, stress reduction, better blood pressure and cholesterol.

However, recent research suggests there may a point of diminishing returns with running.



A number of studies have suggested that a "moderate" running regimen -- a total of two to three hours per week, according to one expert -- appears best for longevity, refuting the typical "more is better" mantra for physical activity.


Running-related injuries mount as marathon season approaches

The researchers behind the newest study on the issue say people who get either no exercise or high-mileage runners both tend to have shorter lifespans than moderate runners. But the reasons why remain unclear, they added.

The new study seems to rule out cardiac risk or the use of certain medications as factors.



"Our study didn't find any differences that could explain these longevity differences," said Dr. Martin Matsumura, co-director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pa.



Matsumura presented the findings Sunday at the American College of Cardiology's annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Studies presented at medical meetings are typically viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.



Matsumura and his colleagues evaluated data from more than 3,800 men and women runners, average age 46. They were involved in the Masters Running Study, a web-based study of training and health information on runners aged 35 and above. Nearly 70 percent reported running more than 20 miles a week.



The runners supplied information on their use of common painkillers called NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen/Aleve), which have been linked with heart problems, as well as aspirin, known to be heart-protective. The runners also reported on known heart risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history of heart disease and smoking history.



None of these factors explained the shorter lives of high-mileage runners, the researchers said. Use of NSAIDs was actually more common in runners who ran less than 20 miles weekly, Matsumura's team noted. "The study negates the theory that excessive use of NSAIDs may be causing this loss of longevity among high-mileage runners," Matsumura said.



So what's the advice to fitness-oriented Americans?



"I certainly don't tell patients 'Don't run,' " Matsumura said. But, he does tell high-mileage runners to stay informed about new research into the mileage-lifespan link as more becomes known.



"What we still don't understand is defining the optimal dose of running for health and longevity," he said.



Even though the heart disease risk factors couldn't explain the shorter longevity of high-mileage runners, there do seem to be potentially life-shortening ill effects from that amount of running, said Dr. James O'Keefe, director of preventive cardiology at the Mid-American Heart Institute in Kansas City.



O'Keefe, who reviewed the findings, believes there may simply be "too much wear and tear" on the bodies of high-mileage runners. He has researched the issue and is an advocate of moderate running for the best health benefits. Chronic extreme exercise, O'Keefe said, may induce a "remodeling" of the heart, and that could undermine some of the benefits that moderate activity provides.



In O'Keefe's view, the "sweet spot" for jogging for health benefits is a slow to moderate pace, about two or three times per week, for a total of one to 2.5 hours.



"If you want to run a marathon," he said, "run one and cross it off your bucket list." But as a general rule, O'Keefe advises runners to avoid strenuous exercise for more than an hour at a time.

[Deleted]

Apr 3, 2014 12:26:40 GMT -5 clseale said:

"If you want to run a marathon," he said, "run one and cross it off your bucket list." But as a general rule, O'Keefe advises runners to avoid strenuous exercise for more than an hour at a time.

Yeah. Nah.

[clseale]

Apr 3, 2014 12:28:26 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Apr 3, 2014 12:26:40 GMT -5 clseale said:

"If you want to run a marathon," he said, "run one and cross it off your bucket list." But as a general rule, O'Keefe advises runners to avoid strenuous exercise for more than an hour at a time.

Yeah. Nah.

Exactly. lol Obviously this article is going to get resistance and eye rolls from this board. I mean...and hour? One hour? Even the runners not doing fulls, are often running for longer than that. Just be prepared for all of our non-running friends and family to send us this article!

[mainewifey]

Even if this were true, I just don't see the point of longevity and living forever if you can't do the things you enjoy while you're alive. It's running, there are a lot of other far more dangerous, life threatening hobbies out there.

And do they think that this article is actually going to get any runners to scale back? That's a big negative.

[Wines Not Whines]

I read a different article about this study. It could be true that moderate running is healthier than long-distance running. But people run for different reasons. If you're running ONLY for health benefits, then maybe running 15-20 mpw is better for you. If you're running for other reasons (like enjoyment or competition), then it's useful to have this information, but it shouldn't necessarily change what you're doing.

I'm sure it's also healthier to never eat pizza, french fries, or ice cream, but I'm not giving those up, either.

[skwcm80]

Apr 3, 2014 12:28:26 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Apr 3, 2014 12:26:40 GMT -5 clseale said:

"If you want to run a marathon," he said, "run one and cross it off your bucket list." But as a general rule, O'Keefe advises runners to avoid strenuous exercise for more than an hour at a time.

Yeah. Nah.

Ditto. 

[jene]

Hmmmm........no thanks

[clseale]

Pretty much just ditto all of your points up there. ^^^ I actually do appreciate the fact that this article isn't TOO alarmist. It clearly states how preliminary these findings are, and doesn't state it as fact. I also appreciated this comment:

"I certainly don't tell patients 'Don't run,' " Matsumura said. But, he does tell high-mileage runners to stay informed about new research into the mileage-lifespan link as more becomes known.

That seems reasonable. I still won't stop doing what I love, but that's a reasonable request. I'll still be shocked if at least one person doesn't have this sent to them. lol

ETA: And by someone, I mean me. My mother WILL email this to both me and DH. 

[emilyinchile]

Apr 3, 2014 12:39:36 GMT -5 mainewifey said:

Even if this were true, I just don't see the point of longevity and living forever if you can't do the things you enjoy while you're alive. It's running, there are a lot of other far more dangerous, life threatening hobbies out there.

I read another article saying similar things, and the takeaway was much more along these lines. I thought it had been posted here, but maybe not? online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303949704579461381883678174

I can believe the science, but for every story of a superfit guy in his 40s having a heart attack out of the blue there are enough stories of other freak health problems that I'm just going to keep on enjoying myself and hoping for the best.

[blndsnbrdr]

Um. I think they are assuming a TON of things about a lot of people.

Is there a point of diminishing return in running? Yes, there is.

HOWEVER, that is a point that each individual runner needs to determine on their own based upon their life, health, runner-ability and mental game. To say that the ultra long distance runners or chronic marathons live shorter lives because they are runners is complete BS. Think about the personalities of the people willing [and wanting] to dump hours upon hours into training and suffering in races...they are people who have big goals, big plans and big ambitions. This means they take more risk, push themselves further and seek out challenges. This, quite obviously, puts them in many positions throughout their lives where the risk of a younger death is imminent.

This is what pisses me off about articles like this...they only look at one TINY aspect of a persons life, not the pyschological reason they are that person, not other underlying motives or factors, not the person as a whole.

Yes, I'm a runner - a long distance on at that. And yes, I may very well die at a younger age than a peer who is a short distance runner...but I'm going out there and enjoying what I do, so does an extra 3 years when I'm 85 really matter? Ah!

#endrant

[shorewife]

Weellll....I do think distance running is especially hard on the body both on the inside and the outside. So if we were looking at this from a strictly 'everything in moderation' point of view, then yes maybe more moderate running is healthier. That said....doing things in moderation is boring!

[gt7301b]

Apr 3, 2014 13:03:39 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Weellll....I do think distance running is especially hard on the body both on the inside and the outside. So if we were looking at this from a strictly 'everything in moderation' point of view, then yes maybe more moderate running is healthier. That said....doing things in moderation is boring!

I agree with this.   I don't think that marathon training is the best thing we can be doing to our body, but I also think a total of 2.5 hrs of running a week is too low.  But all that being said, I think marathon training is better for me than sitting on my couch watching TV.

[labbie]

I am a slower runner and have yet to run double digits (close though!), so for me to run only an hour wouldn't be very far!

C'mon dude- don't give the world another excuse to sit on their butts. Now they can add "running is bad for you" to the list of excuses.

Sheesh.

[breezy8407]

You know how they say dental health is associated with heart health...well, to me I always think of it as people who floss and brush their teeth might also participate in other healtyh activities as in the act of flossing isn't going to keep you from heart disease.

So maybe the people who are also marathoners are also doing other extreme activities like blndsnbrdr said. 

My biggest gripe about this though is the focus on running. What about people who swim for an hour a day or more? Or cyclists? Why just runners? They don't say anything about impact, only the amount of time spent exercising. 

[labbie]

Apr 3, 2014 12:41:27 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I read a different article about this study. It could be true that moderate running is healthier than long-distance running. But people run for different reasons. If you're running ONLY for health benefits, then maybe running 15-20 mpw is better for you. If you're running for other reasons (like enjoyment or competition), then it's useful to have this information, but it shouldn't necessarily change what you're doing.

I'm sure it's also healthier to never eat pizza, french fries, or ice cream, but I'm not giving those up, either.

 My studies show that running and eating yummy food is an excellent balance!

[cinco]

Apr 3, 2014 12:48:52 GMT -5 clseale said:

ETA: And by someone, I mean me. My mother WILL email this to both me and DH. 

My first thought when I read this was whether I'd get it forwarded from my mom or DH's mom first. I can already see the "Just so you are aware" title of the email. Doesn't matter b/c I'll destroy my knees long before I get a chance to die from the running. Everyone is always worried about my poor knees.

[emuni04]

I would be interested to hear how the study "appeared to rule out cardiac risk." There are so many factors that go into longevity that I am somewhat doubtful that long distance running can be pinpointed as a cause.

[Deleted]

Apr 3, 2014 13:36:09 GMT -5 labbie said:

Apr 3, 2014 12:41:27 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I read a different article about this study. It could be true that moderate running is healthier than long-distance running. But people run for different reasons. If you're running ONLY for health benefits, then maybe running 15-20 mpw is better for you. If you're running for other reasons (like enjoyment or competition), then it's useful to have this information, but it shouldn't necessarily change what you're doing.

I'm sure it's also healthier to never eat pizza, french fries, or ice cream, but I'm not giving those up, either.

 My studies show that running and eating yummy food is an excellent balance!

I did a peer review on her study and found her methodology to be sound and her results to be indisputable. 

[hannahb]

Ditto everything that's been said. Running makes me happy. I'll take my chances.

[clseale]

Apr 3, 2014 13:38:38 GMT -5 cinco said:

Apr 3, 2014 12:48:52 GMT -5 clseale said:

ETA: And by someone, I mean me. My mother WILL email this to both me and DH. 

My first thought when I read this was whether I'd get it forwarded from my mom or DH's mom first. I can already see the "Just so you are aware" title of the email. Doesn't matter b/c I'll destroy my knees long before I get a chance to die from the running. Everyone is always worried about my poor knees.

Ha! My mom frames it the same way. "What?? I'm not saying anything bad. I just want you to be aware of all of the information out there." Sure, crazy lady. Suuuuure.  

[skwcm80]

Apr 3, 2014 13:38:38 GMT -5 cinco said:

Apr 3, 2014 12:48:52 GMT -5 clseale said:

ETA: And by someone, I mean me. My mother WILL email this to both me and DH. 

My first thought when I read this was whether I'd get it forwarded from my mom or DH's mom first. I can already see the "Just so you are aware" title of the email. Doesn't matter b/c I'll destroy my knees long before I get a chance to die from the running. Everyone is always worried about my poor knees.

My blood sugar was high before I started running, so when my mom goes on the bad knees kick I ask her to pick between diabetes and bad knees. I know that's extreme, but it usually ends the conversation.

[tuggyruns]

I'll choose bad knees any day b/c with my family history, I'm getting them anyway, so might as well have some fun along the way!

[Wines Not Whines]

Oh, the bad knees thing. That cracks me up. The people who tell me that are always non-runners, and almost always couch potatoes. Even my orthopedist was like, "Yeah, if you run marathons, you'll end up with some minor joint/tendon/muscle injuries. It just comes with the territory. No big deal."

[runaways]

Okay I only skimmed this and haven't read responses, so you know, grain of salt.

But I'm getting so tired of all these news articles about "such and such activity tied to specific outcome." Sure, maybe excessive running is linked in isolation to a slightly shorter lifespan with all other things being equal. But, we don't do anything in isolation. Our lives and lifestyles are composed of a vast number of habits, some of which are healthier and some not so much. I know I'm not going to live forever, and that generally speaking having more healthy habits is going to give me a longer life and better quality of life, so I'm going to stick generally to exercising and eating real food. I just have a hard time thinking that any of these articles should really be translated to peoples' lives.

Also, I'd like to see some reproducibility and I'm very skeptical of the way media treats scientific papers. I haven't gone to look at the source on this one.

[ebeth]

lolz. my boss (a PhD epidemiologist who should know better) emailed this around yesterday with the comment 'I've long suspected this'.

[jamalynn]

Yeah, DH sent me an article about this study on Tuesday. It was a joke because I sent him an article that said protein heavy diets lead to early death. Neither of us believe either of these studies. You can manipulate the data to say whatever you want. :-)

I think there are many limitations to this study and I will not stop running long distances.

[G22]

Apr 3, 2014 12:48:52 GMT -5 clseale said:

ETA: And by someone, I mean me. My mother WILL email this to both me and DH. 

I'm waiting for my MIL to find this article and email it to H and I. She finds article for everything, and then forwards them onto us. 

[wambam]

If running is your "thing" would they rather you be sedentary? Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[ebeth]

just one more thing and then I'm going to bounce because this post is really, really irritating me: there is not enough information in this article to assess the validity of the findings or the methods nor the caliber or qualifications of the researchers.

so maybe let's hold off until we see a damn abstract (AT LEAST) before we crucify these researchers and debunk their research from behind our computer screens especially without any background or training in research, epidemiology, or biostatistics.

[clseale]

Apr 3, 2014 15:02:15 GMT -5 ebeth said:

just one more thing and then I'm going to bounce because this post is really, really irritating me: there is not enough information in this article to assess the validity of the findings or the methods nor the caliber or qualifications of the researchers.

so maybe let's hold off until we see a damn abstract (AT LEAST) before we crucify these researchers and debunk their research from behind our computer screens especially without any background or training in research, epidemiology, or biostatistics.

Well, sure. That's fair. That's why I said it will be interesting to see further research on this. I also think saying "not a million marathons", doesn't mean they're saying sit on your asses. They're obviously not. However, I also suspect that I might not be who you are directing your above comment at. lol