When it comes to jogging, less is more

A small new study shows what others have hinted at in the past: That jogging may be just as good, and perhaps even better, than running when it comes to how long we live. 

Strenuous exercise is thought to put additional stress on the cardiovascular system. Marathon running has of course been associated with sudden death in several instances. But more research has shown that mild to moderate exercise, like brisk walking, is quite beneficial and may even be preferable to more intense exercise. From the current study, jogging just three times per week, for less than 2.5 hours/week was asso ciated with the lowest overall mortality risk. 

Studies also reveal that, “if the goal is to decrease the risk of death and improve life expectancy, going for a leisurely jog a few times per week at a moderate pace is a good strategy. 

Higher doses of running are not only unnecessary but may also erode some of the remarkable longevity benefits conferred by lower doses of running.” There’s been a lot of mixed messages about the “right” amount of exercise and what intensity is best. 

The World Health Organization has suggested that the current 150 minute/week recommendations are too intense for most people to tackle, and that expectations should be lowered, since, after all, anything is better than nothing. 

A recent study showed that very short bursts of intense activity interspersed with recovery periods is particularly good for the body. Still others have suggested that just 5-10 minutes of slow running a day is linked to reduced risk of heart disease and of death from any cause. And the new study, though quite small in size, adds good evidence that less is sometimes more. 

Everyone probably has a level of activity that feels best to him or her. But at least the growing consensus seems to be that more – if you’re pushing yourself very hard – is not necessarily better. And it may even be worse.