Regular jogging can add six years to your life

 
Regular jogging can add six years to the life expectancy of the average male and five years to that of a woman, a new study has found.

The European Society of Cardiology spoke to 1,116 male joggers and 762 female joggers on their lifestyle choices, how much time they spent pounding the pavements and what distances they regularly covered.

It assessed their progress over a period of 35 years and found that the ones that took part in jogging more regularly on average lived the longest.

Dr Leon Creaney, Sport and Orthopaedic Physician at Bupa Musculoskeletal Centre, London said that the research is encouraging for all those that like to spend time jogging but warned that people should be cautious until further data is released.

However, he added: “It's hugely promising that it suggests you don’t need to be a marathon runner or an elite athlete to gain these health benefits.

“It recommends that jogging between one and two and a half hours each week at a slow or average pace can help you live longer compared to non-joggers.

“This doesn’t mean you have to pound the pavements every day of the week – jogging on just two or three days each week is more than enough to achieve these all important extra years.

“Knowing what pace to jog at can be tricky to maintain. Try exercising at a pace where you're breathing is faster, your heart rate is increased and you feel warmer. You should be able to hold a conversation. At this level of activity, your heart and lungs are being stimulated and this goes towards making you fitter.”

If jogging isn’t for you, Dr Creaney suggested that you should consider other activities such as walking, swimming and cycling.