Famed runner & author, Amby Burfoot, chronicles how running not only adds years to your life, but also helps you sleep better, improves your immunity, helps lose weight and much more. He doesn’t simply make these assertions in this latest Podium Runner post, he provides evidence with links back to the scientific studies supporting the facts.
I think it’s notable that running (& regular exercise) don’t just extend your life, but make the quality of your life better as you get older (compared to those that don’t regularly run or exercise). Burfoot references a Stanford study where runners were reaching certain “disability scores” 11 to 16 years later than the non-runners. In other words, they were staying younger for longer.
Also of note is evidence that running improved emotions, mood and mental energy, contributing to fewer “blue days.” Over the years, I’ve read numerous articles about veterans suffering from PTSD who managed their symptoms with running (& probably other treatment as well).
