Many runners are unaware of their increased cardiovascular risk. Running can increase blood flow to the brain, reduce high blood pressure, and decrease feelings of depression, all of which can have positive health benefits. While we can’t say that marathon runners live longer, there are several other factors at play. Cancer, for example, is one of the biggest killers of marathon runners. Here are some tips to ensure your running is safe:
Running increases blood flow to the brain
Running has been proven to increase blood flow to the brain. Running increases blood flow to the brain, ensuring that neurons receive an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients. Boosting cerebral blood flow has also been linked to improved cognitive function. Researchers compared the brain activity of marathon runners to that of non-athletes. These researchers examined brain activity before and after running a marathon. Some of the parameters were evaluated immediately after marathons, while others were measured 12 weeks later. They looked for signs that running enhanced brain activity, as well as any changes in cognitive function and mood.
While the reasons behind this association are unclear, the benefits of running are well-known. Despite the numerous benefits, some researchers are skeptical about the cause-and-effect relationship between running and decreased risks of premature death. The study used only a small group of participants and did not establish cause-and-effect relationships. However, any amount of running is better than none at all, according to Dr. Davis. The findings of this study are promising and suggest that a greater amount of running can be good for the health of the entire population.
Running reduces high blood pressure
Studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise helps marathoners reduce blood pressure. Marathon runners engage in 90 to 300 minutes of aerobic exercise a day, accumulating 200 to 300 MET-hours per week, five to ten times the recommended amount. The combination of high exercise and alcohol consumption increases the risk of hypertension or EIH. However, these factors are not mutually exclusive. During the training period, marathon runners may reduce high blood pressure by as much as 20 percent.
The American Heart Association estimates that 47 million Americans participate in regular running, and many of them have low blood pressure and high blood pressure is associated with early death. However, it’s still important to consult your doctor before beginning an intense workout. Runners with high blood pressure may need to change their schedule or alternate lower-intensity activities with higher-intensity intervals. In addition, they may need to adjust their diet. Working with their physicians or fitness trainers may be a good idea to minimize the risks of high blood pressure while training for a marathon.
Running lowers feelings of depression
There are many benefits of running, but one is the lowered feelings of depression. It is a well-known fact that running stimulates the frontal cortex, the brain region responsible for decision-making. Depressed people have decreased frontal cortex activity, and that is likely why they are constantly worried and uncertain. Running also increases frontal cortex activity, and most runners report finding new solutions to problems during a run. This, in turn, leads to less stress and depression.
Runners experience a boost in their mood during a run that triggers “runner’s high” feelings. These feelings help to boost mood temporarily and break the cycle of depression. Depression robs people of energy, motivation, and drive. The brain becomes tense and can’t keep thoughts quiet, so running gives sufferers a physical outlet for this nervous energy. Running can help those suffering from depression combat their mental health problems and remain motivated.
Cancer is the biggest cause of death for marathon runners
Until the 1970s, few runners worried about cancer as the main killer of marathon runners. Most focused on beating heart disease. But in the 1970s, the father of aerobics, Ken Cooper, discovered that vigorous exercise produces “free radicals,” which contribute to degenerative diseases. Cooper recommended runners consume antioxidants to prevent free radicals from damaging the body’s tissues. He was right. The average marathon runner’s body is not well aligned.
The incidence of cardiac arrest in the marathon and half-marathon participants ranged from 0.14 to 0.39 per 100,000. It was significantly higher among men than women. During the study period, cardiac arrest occurred more frequently in men than in women. However, this was not enough to trigger a warning. Marathon runners should be encouraged to consult their physician if they experience chest pain, a common complication of the sport.
What’s the average lifespan of a marathon runner?
Many people think that a marathon runner has a short lifespan, but the truth is that most high-profile deaths were caused by a genetic heart defect. While there is no guarantee that you will live the rest of your life running marathons, the average lifespan of a marathon runner is at least 40 years. However, there are certain precautions you should take to make sure you don’t run yourself to death.
Does running help you live longer?
The question of “Does running help you live longer?” has long been controversial. Does it seem that more exercise is better, but is more really better? A recent analysis from the Institute of Health and Sport at Victoria University in Australia found that moderate to high levels of running is associated with a 30% lower risk of all cancers and heart disease. Further, a greater volume of running is not necessary to reap the benefits of longer life.
The study included 55,137 adults aged 18 to 100. The participants were 44 years old on average. Twenty-four percent of them reported running as part of their regular exercise routine. Overall, the study found that people who ran regularly lived longer than those who didn’t run. In total, they also lived three years longer than non-runners. There was no evidence that other forms of exercise were associated with longer life. However, the researchers were able to find an association between running and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and depression.