Running to Death: How Much is Too Much?

We've all seen them. Those workout nuts at the office who're headed to the gym during their lunch break or who keep a set of 10 pound weights in their cubicle--many of whom break their prisoner-desk frustrations with a determined run whenever the mood strikes them.

Of course, running is good for your health--and not just your physical health, but your mental health, too. Science has shown this in the minds and bodies of the young and old who regularly stay fit, and previous studies also hold the proof to back it up. But when is it time to stay in and watch a movie instead of head up the hill again? In other words, how much running is too much?

A recent study shows that you should indeed put a cap on the amount of running you're doing. While this exercise is linked to a host of benefits, including weight control, stress reduction and better blood pressure, there is a point of diminishing returns.

Findings showed that people who either get no exercise or run 20 miles a week or more both tend to have shorter lifespans than those who fall somewhere in between.

"Our study didn't find any differences that could explain these longevity differences," said Dr. Martin Matsumura, co-director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pa., via WebMD.

For the study, Matsumura and colleagues evaluated data from more than 3,800 men and women runners, all around the age of 46 and involved in the Masters Running Study--a web-based study of training and health information on runners aged 35 and up. Nearly 70 percent reported running more than 20 miles a week.

Information regarding painkiller use was also supplied by the runners. However, this information did not explain why some of the high-mileage runners might have shorter life spans. In fact, findings showed that those who ran less than 20 miles a week were more likely to use NSAIDS.

According to Dr. James O'Keefe, director of preventive cardiology at the Mid-American Heart Institute in Kansas City, there may simply be too much "wear and tear" on the bodies of high-mileage runners. He suggests that the sweet spot for jogging per week falls within a total of one to 2.5 hours.

What do you think?

More information regarding the findings were presented Sunday at the American College of Cardiology's annual meeting in Washington, D.C.