Despite recent reports of deaths during jogging, a study in this week¹s British Medical Journal shows that the risk of death in persistent joggers is significantly lower than in non-joggers or even those new to jogging.
A total of 4,658 Danish men, aged 20-79 years, attended two examinations over a period of five years. At the first examination, 217 men reported active jogging. Of these, 96 were still jogging five years later. Between the two examinations, 106 men started jogging and 4,335 men were non-joggers at both examinations.
The authors found a higher risk of death among non-joggers, or those who jogged at only one of the two examinations, compared to persistent joggers. This effect was independent of factors such as smoking, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol level, add the authors.
The health benefits of physical activity are well known, but the optimal intensity, frequency and duration of activity has yet to be firmly established, say the authors. These findings support the current view in the medical community that, although light exercise has some value, moderate and vigorous activity such as jogging is now considered more favorable for health, they conclude.
Contact: Peter Schnohr, Chief Cardiologist, The Copenhagen City Heart Study, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Denmark Tel/Fax: +45 3315 1419
Email: peterschnohr@dadlnet.dk.
(Mortality in joggers: population based study of 4,658 men. British Medical Journal, Volume 321, pp. 602-603.)
For further information about the British Medical Journal or to obtain a copy of the article, please contact Public Affairs Division, British Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP, Tel: 020 7383 6254 or email: pressoffice@bma.org.uk. After 6 p.m. and on weekends telephone: +44 (0)208 241 6386 / +44 (0)208 997 3653/+44 (0)208 674 6294 / +44 (0)1525 379792 / +44 (0)208 651 5130.
Posted by the Center for the Advancement of Health <http://www.cfah.org>. For information about the Center, call Petrina Chong, <pchong@cfah.org> (202) 387-2829.