NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - More than 230,000 people have found that jogging no matter how long and fast, significantly reduces the risk of death.
A new analysis of 14 separate studies that tracked the health status of a number of people for years, and in some cases for decades, found that no amount of running was associated with a 27 percent lower risk of death from all causes in both men and women than non-exercise.
The research, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, could not prove that running was the direct cause of improved life expectancy, but said the findings supported evidence of the public health benefits of exercise.
Experts from the University of Victoria in Melbourne have examined previous studies examining the relationship between jogging or jogging and the risk of death from all causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The 14 studies involved more than 232,000 people whose health was tracked for 5 to 35 years. During the search period, about 25,951 people died.
In addition to reducing the risk of death from all causes, running was also associated with a 30 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease and a 23 percent lower risk of dying from cancer.
Even a short run, such as 50 minutes once a week or less, and even at low speeds, is still associated with those benefits.
The study, which was reviewed by a panel of researchers, found the results showed that running even below recommended levels could help reduce the risk of death in people, but also warned that increasing the amount of running does not reduce the risk of death by a higher rate.
Lead co-author Professor Zelko Bedisic said: "Increased participation rates in running, no matter how much, are likely to lead to significant improvements in population health and longevity ... Any amount of running, even once a week, is better than not running ".