A recent study that shows running may help people live longer doesn’t surprise a New York emergency medicine physician and avid runner.
Running has been known to help people in the following areas:
· Reduce rates of heart disease
· Strengthen muscles
· Increase bone density
· Improve heart and lung function
· Promotes better sleep
“There are benefits to running even just five to 10 minutes a day,” says Sanjey Gupta, MD, chairman of emergency medicine at Franklin Hospital in Valley Stream. “And I think just about everybody can eek out five to 10 minutes a day.”
For those who want to start a running regimen, consult your physician first and take it slow.
Video: How Running Can Lengthen Your Life
“Starting too big and starting too fast can be discouraging,” Dr. Gupta says. “They feel too tired, they feel like they can’t manage this. You might run into having an injury earlier on, which would derail them from continuing that exercise… Build up your distance and your speed over time.”
There are several training programs, running clubs and books and magazines about running that people can use to learn more about running.
