DWM X JOG A BIT WEEKLY

Amount of Running and Association With Risk of All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Cancer Mortality

British Journal of Sports Medicine

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

• A review and meta-analysis of 14 studies found a reduction in all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in patients who run or jog (HR, 0.73; HR, 0.7; and HR, 0.77). This relationship did not change with higher or lower amounts of running.

• Running is good. Exercise is good. Participating in some form of exercise that increases the heart rate provides benefit. 

– Andrea Dotson, MD

This study was designed to investigate the association of running participation and dose of running with the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Researchers found that running participation was associated with 27%, 30%, and 23% reduction in all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality, respectively. Significant reductions in mortality risk can be expected for a dose of running even just once a week or 50 minutes a week. There is no evidence that mortality benefits increased with higher amounts of running.

A limitation of the study includes a small total number of studies (14 total), although the sample size was significant and included 232,149 participants.

The lure of running and its associated benefits may compel patients to initiate a vigorous training program. I would counsel patients about risk of injury associated with running, particularly as training mileage increases. Those with compromised lower extremity joints (eg, hip/knee arthritis) may not want to initiate a running program. Instead, I would suggest that similar benefits may likely be achieved with a joint-friendly low-impact exercise program. Lastly, remind patients of training goals and to consider adhering to CDC/WHO guidelines, which recommend that adults participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week.