Runners tend to have lower all-cause mortality rates because running is a highly effective form of cardio workout that improves heart health, boosts metabolism, and helps with loosing weight. Running regularly strengthens the cardiovascular system, making the heart and blood vessels more efficient. This reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic illnesses that contribute to early death.
Studies show that even a small amount of running, such as five to ten minutes a day at a low intensity, can extend life expectancy by several years compared to not running at all. This is because running improves insulin sensitivity, which lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It also helps control blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the chances of developing major diseases like cancer and cardiovascular conditions. Running combines endurance and muscle strength, which supports overall physical fitness and resilience.
Running is a vigorous-intensity activity, meaning it raises the heart rate significantly and provides more health benefits per minute than moderate activities like walking. Research indicates that vigorous cardio workouts are much more effective at lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. For example, meeting weekly exercise guidelines of about 150 to 300 minutes of vigorous activity, such as running, is linked to a 19 to 31 percent lower risk of death from any cause.
Besides cardiovascular benefits, running also aids in loosing weight, which further reduces mortality risk. Excess body fat is linked to many health problems, so maintaining a healthy weight through running and other cardio workouts helps prevent these issues. The combination of improved heart function, better metabolic health, and weight control explains why runners generally live longer and healthier lives.
The key to these benefits is consistency. Even older adults who start running or other forms of cardio exercise later in life can lower their risk of death by staying active. The most important factor is finding a cardio workout like running that is enjoyable and sustainable over time.
https://www.aol.com/running-5-minutes-day-add-130005010.html
