A recent research result has left many runners astounded by its unexpectedness - scientists followed nearly 100,000 athletes and discovered that the relationship between exercise and lifespan is not as "the faster, the better" as we thought.
What's even more astonishing is that a 45-year-long study found that there is a mysterious "U-shaped curve" relationship between exercise and lifespan. What does this mean?
In simple terms: Staying still is not good, and moving too vigorously is not good either. Only moderate exercise can truly help us delay aging.
❓Have you ever also thought that the faster you run, the better?
I'm sure many runners have experienced something like this:
- Looking at the pace data on the running app, they always want to go a little faster;
- seeing someone running faster than them, they can't help but want to catch up;
- every time after running, the first thing they do is to check if their pace has improved...
We live in an era that values speed, and even running is no exception. However, science tells us that sometimes, slowing down is actually a form of wisdom.
📊 What do the scientific studies say?
Researchers from Finland spent a total of 45 years tracking and studying tens of thousands of pairs of twins.
They discovered an interesting phenomenon: Those who did not exercise at all did age faster, but surprisingly, those who exercised excessively also aged faster!
It's like eating desserts: those who don't eat any lose out on enjoyment, those who eat too much affect their health, and only those who consume it in moderation are the happiest.
The researchers found more "aging proteins" in the bodies of people who exercised extremely.
These substances are related to heart problems and decline in kidney function. This might explain why excessive exercise could actually have the opposite effect.
🏃 Jogging is the real way to go.
Research has found that men who consistently engage in running can expect to live an average of 4-5 years longer. However, the key factor is not whether one runs or not, but how one runs.
Australian researchers have brought even more encouraging news: Just 50 minutes of jogging per week can significantly reduce the risk of premature death!
This is truly great news for modern people who always complain about "no time for exercise".
💡Why is being slow better than being fast?
Imagine this: Over-exercising is like stepping on the accelerator without giving the car a proper maintenance. Over time, even the best car will break down.
The same is true for our bodies:
- Time is needed for recovery: Intense exercise causes minor damage to the body, which requires time to heal
- The heart also needs rest: Continuously overloading the heart with work may cause irreversible damage
- Excessive is as bad as insufficient: Just like eating, exercise should also be done in moderation. Doing too much can actually harm your health.
🚨The health signals behind running
At a medical conference held in the United States last year, doctors shared an interesting finding:
Some young long-distance runners are prone to intestinal problems.
Please note that this is not saying "running causes cancer", but rather it serves as a reminder:
If you frequently experience symptoms such as bloody stools and stomach pain after running, you should see a doctor promptly.
It's like the car is sending out a warning signal. We need to have it repaired promptly instead of continuing to keep stepping on the accelerator.
🌟Find your own rhythm
How to run the best?
It's actually quite simple:
Listen to your body:
- During exercise, you should be able to have a normal conversation, rather than being out of breath
- Gradual progression: Don't suddenly increase the amount of exercise. The weekly increase should not exceed 10%
- Diverse exercise: Don't just run. Combining strength training and stretching exercises will be healthier
An elderly runner, over 60 years old, still maintains an extremely good figure.
She has been running for over a decade and never strives for a specific pace. Instead, she always runs slowly with a smile and chats with everyone after each run.
She said, "I run not to be fast, but to last longer."
Yes, running is not a sprint but a marathon. What matters is not the speed for a short period of time, but the ability to keep running continuously.
The essence of running is to enable us to better enjoy life, rather than becoming another goal that we need to strive for with all our might.
