The National Runners' Health Study, which monitored more than 62,000 men and 45,000 women, found that men who ran two or more marathons per year were 41 percent less likely to suffer from high blood pressure, 32 percent less likely to have high cholesterol, and 87 percent less likely to be diabetic than non-marathoners. Those who ran only one marathon every two to five years also had significantly lower risk for these conditions than non-marathoners.
But you don't have to run marathons to benefit: Even runners who didn’t run marathons but included longer runs as part of their usual exercise routines were less likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
“All forms of regular exercise provide important health benefits,” said Paul Williams, Ph.D., author of the study. “But these data suggest there may be heightened benefits for those who make the exceptional effort and commitment.”
More on Marathon Running:
Source: American College of Sports Medicine. "LONG-DISTANCE RUNNERS LESS LIKELY TO HAVE METABOLIC SYNDROME", February 23, 2009
