Running slows down the aging process but how much is necessary.
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40193)
Canada
August 13, 2008 11:06am CST
I just went on this site http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20080808/running-slows-the-effects-of-aging?ecd=wnl_day_081308
and it tells that runners do not age as fast as non-runners. They compared those of as running club with non-runners and I suppose those runners were tall men and women of Nordic ancestry - the typical 50 year old Swede as we used to say in Canada.
Now they did not tell you, how much running is considered to slow the aging process, and since I and many are short to medium and not tall and lanky, we can only run for a short period like a minute at a time.
So in view of this report, how much running is needed? And why is it in these articles they never tell you? I mean if I run for more than a couple of minutes at a time, I am looking sort of look those slow motions they used to make of the former Bionic Woman.
4 people like this
15 responses
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
13 Aug 08
Me too I can hear the music playing slowly while i try to run for that whole 30 second. An to think that I use to love to run. I would like to know how faror how long also. I hope that this discussion get some good responses!@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
13 Aug 08
I had a vision of me running and someone saying "well we do not have to photograph slow motion that lady is doing it right now." A fast runner I am not, and I think they mean someone like Speedy Gonzales. Me run for a whole thirty minutes or do a marathon, I don't think so?
1 person likes this
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I have recently began walking tgwice a day. Not real far. But hey I am still doing it. I will be so thrilled when I can JOG for a minute straight!
I will too. It will just take time!
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Aug 08
My knees hurt as well if I jog too much. I am just not built right. I am more of a walker. But if it will make me live longer and reverse the aging process, I will run.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
13 Aug 08
I can run in place and run for one minute, but these studies never tell how long to keep it up, whether a few seconds of running will do, or whether you have to run for a whole fifteen minutes or forget sister you are sunk. But they never tell. All they talk about a running club and I have looked at running magazines and I have yet to see a picture of a fat guy or old lady running, it is usually this skinny dude in shorts who looks just a step above emaciation.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
19 Aug 08
I am doing a little more running. I heard it also gets your tummy a little flatter.
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
20 Aug 08
When you are running, if you hold the muscles in on your tummy, it helps lots to build them. Also do it even when you are doing anything, all day long, as it is easy to do and does makes a big difference.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
14 Aug 08
i'm a runner myself and recently joined my first marqathon. based on my knowledge, to optimize your benefits from running, you need to go fro an hour or an hour and a half non-stop. that doesn't mean that you run continuosly for that time, you can walk or jog as you take a break from your pace. anything above that time, will have adverse affects on your health.
also other tips, invest in a good pair of running shoes and comfy clothes. always hydrate yourself with water or an energy drink. spend an ample time for warm-ups and cool-downs, usually i spend 30 minutes for each. this will prevent you from having injuries. also, stay away from cement and asphalt when running. better that you run in a park or in runner lanes.
hope these tips helps. happy running!
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Aug 08
It is hard to not run on cement here. We have cement roads as well as sidewalks and we do not have a park near by. *The city wanted more houses, and figured they could get away with it because this is a working middle class neighborhood.) I usually run on the grass besides the sidewalks. I do drink a lot of water but I do need a good pair of running shoes. Mine are falling apart, but they are expensive and I have expensive feet and narrow ankles. Unless I pay over one hundred dollars, the shoes rub against my ankles. I did like the idea that I do not have to run thirty minutes straight. I cannot do that, but the other things I can. Thanks for the tips.
1 person likes this
@TheHawkBat (669)
• United States
16 Aug 08
I don't think you need to go for an hour to an hour and a half non-stop. Those are pretty solid runs. I run pretty seriously (about 70-80 miles a week, and run a few races pretty fast), and for those times I would usually go between 9 and 13 miles. Which is more than most people ever will do. If you did that every day, you would be running somewhere between 63 and 91 miles every week... that is quite a lot! And it is not healthy to just jump up to that range unless you want stress fractures or other injuries.
1 person likes this
@TheHawkBat (669)
• United States
16 Aug 08
As for running on cement and asphalt, I agree. Avoid it when possible, as it puts a lot more stress on your body just from the impact forces!
1 person likes this
@Ganesh44 (5547)
• India
13 Aug 08
There are more factors also beside running .Its as much necessary as much you want to delay the aging process.It maintains your blood pressure ,it strengthens your heart ,and good for overall health.
If you can just run few 100 meters a day it is erally good .
Thanku
Ganesh
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
13 Aug 08
A good healthy diet also slows down the aging process I believe.
Cut the fats, cholesterol, and other bad foods as well.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Aug 08
Well I suppose when they did this test, they did not take a bunch of runners and put them against a bunch of fat old ladies and men who were busy eating junk food, had arthritis and had pasty faces. Then it would be obvious it was the runner's diets who did it. They probably found a group of healthy individuals who went and ate healthy food, exercises, watched their diets and did everything right except that they walked rather than ran.
@martahandey (165)
• United States
13 Aug 08
It really doesn't matter how tall you are... some of the fastest runners are short. It should have no effect on how long you can run, you just have to build up endurance. That is an interesting article though, I don't doubt it's findings. As for how much running is necessary.... I doubt there is an exact amount. It's more about doing aerobic exercise... which can be dance cardio, or some other class that your local gym probably offers
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
13 Aug 08
Well they were not talking about walking or dancing, if they did, they would have said that any aerobic exercise slows down the aging process, but they only mentioned running. It is sort of like saying that blueberries are best, and then afterwards mentioning any type of berry will go, but are they as good as? And you know the taller and the slimmer you are, the better you are at running.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I am not sure I understand the connection between height and running for any length of time. You cannot run as far, as your legs are shorter, or as fast, but you can run a long time if you are in shape. I have known some short runners. I agree, they make those statements, but do not tell you how much running, or walking for that matter. I, for one, would not be able to run, too much weight, too much pain in my knees, too much arthritis in my toes. I can walk a long ways, if I warm up, and if I wear good supportive shoes. I would bet that walkers also age more slowly. No one has done the study yet.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Aug 08
I am large boned. Worse of luck, in Web Md they give the example of a large boned guy who is tall, they never give an example of a short lady who is large boned. So I cannot run that far without getting tired. I do not even get my heart rate up. I suppose they also did it with walkers. I mean they probably first started with the shufflers, and the slow walkers, then the medium up until the fast walkers, and found that the fast walkers were aging slower, but they found that the runners probably surpassed them.
Now who in my ancestry who was large boned and tall and decided to marry shorter and shorter people?
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I feel and have been told I do not look like I am 54. I do not run. I really can't run. Not for a long stretch of time anyhow. This is due to my bronchial asthma I suffer from. If I strain myself with too much physical activity I have a severe attack. So I have to avoid all the running. I can and do use a treadmill ever so often though as that is slow paced and in a staionary spot if I do have an attack. I have no idea why some news articles never go into full details all the time. Some do and others don't. Maybe to save space possibly? Or just to keep us in the dark and run out to buy some AirJordans or other Nikes? HAHAHAHA!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Aug 08
We have a tread mill and I can only use at about 3 to 4 because I have no sense of balance, born clumsy. And I wish they would go into details. It would make me feel better because when they sort of narrow the field you get the feeling that these runners were running into Dunkin Donuts and running out again after munching on some snacks with bottles of Pepsi or Coke in their hands. Sorry the only time we went into Dunkin Donuts we ordered coffee and donuts so I have no idea what brand of soft drinks they carry.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I always take these studies with a grain of salt. Someone or something funded this study and surely it is biased to prove that running slows down the aging process. However, there may be many other factors that also is slowing down the aging process for these people who run, like their lifestyle and eating habits. The main thing that can be taken away from any of these studies is that exercise, in general, probably helps people live healthier lives, thereby slowing down the aging process, but there are exceptions to everything.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
15 Aug 08
I can run for a short while, but at least it is better than walking around all the time, and I will get their sooner. I have been doing running for one minute and walking for four or five minutes. I hope to do longer, but cannot. But it is better than nothing.
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
18 Aug 08
I prefer to do the fast walk instead of running. I have weak ankles so jogging just hurts too much. I go for a lot of walks along the river here, downtown, and so I do the fast pace walk thing and then slow down for awhile and then go fast again, as I am 51 years old and don't want to do too much at once. I also go hiking in the mountains a lot and that helps me stay in shape too, as I have a lot of steep uphills to walk. I have never heard before that running will help stop the age process but I guess it makes sense as it is a form of exercise and exercise keeps us fit and young.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
19 Aug 08
I live in Winnipeg, and we have no high mountains. I did once go up driveways and down, but that was on concrete. The fast pace is not fast enough for me. I have to do a little running. Now you know why I find it hard to lose weight. I mean if a fast walk does not help, you have to do a little running.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
15 Aug 08
Unfortunately, I have to stay away from impact exercise. I remember how wonderful it felt to run, those were good days!
1 person likes this
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
13 Aug 08
If they wont tell us how much running is necessary ten we will
just make our own assumption. The important thing is that we know
that running can help us slow down aging process. So, lets, start
running beginning today.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Aug 08
That is for sure. Did my major running today from one end of the living room to the other, then back again and again and again and again. (Did you get the idea that I have a rather short living room? 
@SummerChick (513)
• Philippines
13 Aug 08
A positive outlook and a lot of humour in life will surely gets your life going. They would hardly noticed that you aged gracefully by just living your life light and bubbly.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Aug 08
Well you can be light and bubbly and still be a couch potato and so fat you cannot move.
@AmbiePam (85484)
• United States
13 Aug 08
You're funny! I love your last line. : ) I don't know how much running is really needed, I just know it is probably the easiest way to speed our heart rate up. And apparently that is the goal of most exercise. Our heart rates are up, and we burn more calories, and so on. I think I remember my doctor telling me I needed to get my heart rate up with exercise at least 30 minutes a day. However since he told me not to run (previous injury), he told me speed walking would be just as good. And I admit it does get my heart rate up.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Aug 08
I suppose speed walking is just as good, but I cannot get my speed up unless I do run. I mean speed walking does not make me puff that much if at all.
