Too much running tied to shorter lifespan, studies find

[SP33Demon]

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-04-tied-shorter-lifespan.html

I've posted this before but interested to hear opinions/anecdotes of people you know/knew who are/were long distance runners.

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.

I think I'll be sticking to HIIT cardio and moderate weights. It seems the heart can only take so much.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Ya, I think I read something about this a few months ago. I think what I read said no more than 30 miles per week.

 

[futurefields]

I have a theory that the heart has a built in predetermined amount of beats it can produce. Raising your heart rate just lowers that number faster.

Go ahead, try to find holes in my logic!

 

[futurefields]

This is why i only exercise moderately. Im going for a Fedor circa 2003 physique, thick, solid, strong, well fed and well rested.

 

[deadken]

Umm.... No one has bothered to mention what they consider a 'High Mileage' or 'Long Distance' runner? The article states:
"Nearly 70 percent reported running more than 20 miles a week.".
I don't think that is typical for most of the running population. FWIW: I used to do 15-16 MPW, but have been doing 18-20+ MPW for a maybe 6 months now.

When reading the article another thing pops out that I am a little bit surprised to see hasn't been mentioned yet:
"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."
If running more than 20 miles a week means that I won't live longer compared to a non-runner, so be it. It's not like I'll have a shorter lifespan compared to the average person. It seems to just be a shorter lifespan than a person who runs, but stays under 20MPW.

Personally, I usually taper a bit as the weather warms up taking 2 days off a week instead of 1 day off. I like to use my 'extra day' to bike or kayak. Now, I'm looking to start swimming also, I need to get ready for the (sprint) Triathlon that I signed up for.

 

[highland145]

I have a theory that the heart has a built in predetermined amount of beats it can produce. Raising your heart rate just lowers that number faster.

Go ahead, try to find holes in my logic!

The short time that their HR is elevated is offset by the long time that their resting rate is lower than the average couch pillow.

60 BPM/23 hrs/day...82.8k + 8700 for 1 hr = 91500

80BPM/day = 115200

Logic fail.

 

[SP33Demon]

Umm.... No one has bothered to mention what they consider a 'High Mileage' or 'Long Distance' runner? The article states:
"Nearly 70 percent reported running more than 20 miles a week.".
I don't think that is typical for most of the running population. FWIW: I used to do 15-16 MPW, but have been doing 18-20+ MPW for a maybe 6 months now.

When reading the article another thing pops out that I am a little bit surprised to see hasn't been mentioned yet:
"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."
If running more than 20 miles a week means that I won't live longer compared to a non-runner, so be it. It's not like I'll have a shorter lifespan compared to the average person. It seems to just be a shorter lifespan than a person who runs, but stays under 20MPW.

Personally, I usually taper a bit as the weather warms up taking 2 days off a week instead of 1 day off. I like to use my 'extra day' to bike or kayak. Now, I'm looking to start swimming also, I need to get ready for the (sprint) Triathlon that I signed up for.

I think it goes without saying that even high mileage will statistically live longer than couch potatoes due a higher likelihood of couch potatoes having complications. However, it is interesting that they aren't living longer than moderate runners. It will be interesting to see exactly by how much coach potatoes vs high vs moderate differ (once the study is officially published in a journal). 20 miles a week doesn't even seem like a lot to me but it probably depends on the pace as well. High mileage runners tend to push the envelope regarding improving times for competitions.

 

[Koing]

I think it goes without saying that even high mileage will statistically live longer than couch potatoes due a higher likelihood of couch potatoes having complications. However, it is interesting that they aren't living longer than moderate runners. It will be interesting to see exactly by how much coach potatoes vs high vs moderate differ (once the study is officially published in a journal). 20 miles a week doesn't even seem like a lot to me but it probably depends on the pace as well. High mileage runners tend to push the envelope regarding improving times for competitions.

I tend to think people who do things moderately will always live longer/ have less injuries than people who push it hard on the whole.

But the question is do you want to be slightly better than average or a lot better for the prime of your years?

I don't run at all

Koing

 

[norseamd]

I think it goes without saying that even high mileage will statistically live longer than couch potatoes due a higher likelihood of couch potatoes having complications. However, it is interesting that they aren't living longer than moderate runners. It will be interesting to see exactly by how much coach potatoes vs high vs moderate differ (once the study is officially published in a journal). 20 miles a week doesn't even seem like a lot to me but it probably depends on the pace as well. High mileage runners tend to push the envelope regarding improving times for competitions.

might be true as long as they are talking about high mileage runners

moderate mileage runners should be in shape more than those who do not run

also too much running can ruin the joints and such

I don't run at all

you should

too cold still but i hope to start biking in a week or two

then i might start running

do you walk, bike, or swim?

 

[blackdogdeek]

I would venture to guess that you could substitute "running" in the title with any activity and have it be detrimental in the long run.

 

[norseamd]

I would venture to guess that you could substitute "running" in the title with any activity and have it be detrimental in the long run.

probably

 

[highland145]

I would venture to guess that you could substitute "running" in the title with any activity and have it be detrimental in the long run.

Sex?

 

[SP33Demon]

We do sprints with the Prowler to warm up but other than that, no running for me. Squatting over double your weight burns enough kcals but I'm sure even competitive powerlifting will lower the lifespan because of the stresses it puts on the heart. This is probably true of any hardcore competition like Crossfit or OLY as well. I think everyone should try it for a year or two to see if you have the genetics to make it but after that, slow it down.

 

[norseamd]

We do sprints with the Prowler to warm up but other than that, no running for me. Squatting over double your weight burns enough kcals but I'm sure even competitive powerlifting will lower the lifespan because of the stresses it puts on the heart. This is probably true of any hardcore competition like Crossfit or OLY as well. I think everyone should try it for a year or two to see if you have the genetics to make it but after that, slow it down.

genetics might also play a role in what excercise is good for you

ethiopians probably need long disatance running to stay in good shape

 

[CPA]

I don't run because I have no cartilage in either of my knees. However, to the study and article, I say "so what?" Would you rather live a slightly shorter life enjoying what you do or live a life worrying what you shouldn't do because it may shorten your life?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Whatever. I love how just a few weeks ago, this site published this article/study.

Marathon training could help the heart

Can't wait to run Boston on Monday!

 

[pauldun170]

Does anyone have a better source on this article.

What kind of training regimen defined "High Miler"?
I have a friend is a long distance runner, 50Ks, 100Ks.
A casual Sunday morning long run for them is a 30 mile run.
Another friends runs 3-6 miles daily with.

What was the typical diet of the study group? I know a lot of runners who eat like crap.

From the article

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.

Personally, I don't run farther than my stomach allows. If I get to the point where I need food or water to continue or I need to do some crazy carb loading prior than screw that.
I draw the line at fanny packs.

 

[z1ggy]

I hate running long distance. It's boring as shit, idc what anybody says.

I keep my running strictly to sporting events. Otherwise I do HIIT like speedemon said, and heavy compound lifting.

 

[Koing]

might be true as long as they are talking about high mileage runners

moderate mileage runners should be in shape more than those who do not run

also too much running can ruin the joints and such



you should

too cold still but i hope to start biking in a week or two

then i might start running

do you walk, bike, or swim?

I use to cycle 20mins Mon to Fri to the train station. I use to swim 2-3x a week when I was getting my life guarding qualification.

I play Tennis for 3hrs a week most weeks and on some week it's up to 5-6hrs if I have matches. I'm too lazy to run. I just can't be bothered with it. I always tell people whatever exercise/ cardio you do you must at least enjoy it or you will never do it. It doesn't matter if something else is better for you as it's useless if you don't do it.

Koing

 

[SP33Demon]

Whatever. I love how just a few weeks ago, this site published this article/study.

Marathon training could help the heart

Can't wait to run Boston on Monday!

Well, that study you linked was over 18 weeks and 45 non-elite runners training for a marathon (i.e. training strenuously and more than usual). Here's what the results were:

"Overall, participants experienced cardiac remodeling – improvements in the size, shape, structure and function of the heart," Zilinski said. "Even with a relatively healthy population that was not exercise naïve, our study participants still had overall improvements in key indices of heart health."

From the OP on why running strenuously for a chronic amount of time could reduce lifespan:

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.

What I gather between the two studies is that normal (moderate) exercise people, even over 18 weeks, can experience a "remodeling" of the heart when upping their stress levels training for a marathon. If this remodeling becomes permanent (i.e. over a long period of time or "chronic"), then it could be the cause of the shorter lifespan. Otherwise, it's healthy and could help you live longer.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Sex?

This depends on your workout buddy.

 

[RagingBITCH]

This made the rounds with all the marathon running buddies who laughed. If you don't die from running too much, you'll die from not eating well, cancer, disease, old age, etc. At the end of it all, you are going to die from something. Why not die doing something you enjoy was what the majority consensus was.

That being said - I think my marathon days are behind me. (Although I say that every year) I've missed the last two I've signed up due to injury/slower recovery than expected. I've even gotten worn out running half marathons, and just got back on the wagon recovering from a knee issue. I love running, and wouldn't let something like this evidence sway me, but I'd like to say I stopped all the long distance training/running because I want to cut back, not b/c some study says I'll mess myself up in the long run. (No pun intended)