I’m giddy when new research supports my undisciplined behavior.  This time, it’s exercise.  Here’s a quick snapshot of new research reported in the Wall Street Journal:

• Running too fast, too far and for too many years may speed one’s progress toward the finish line of life.
• After age 50, pushing too hard is probably not good for one’s heart or longevity.
• For a lot of older athletes: Running can take a toll on the heart that essentially eliminates the benefits of exercise.
• The benefits of running may come to a hard stop later in life. Runners had a 19% lower death rate than nonrunners but among the runners, those who ran a lot—more than 20 to 25 miles a week—lost that mortality advantage.
• There was no mortality benefit for those who ran faster than 8 miles per hour, while those who ran slower reaped significant mortality benefits.
• Studies are finding cardiac abnormalities in extreme athletes, including coronary artery calcification of a degree typically found in the utterly sedentary.
• Chronic extreme exercise appears to cause excessive ‘wear-and-tear’ on the heart.
• If you are running more than 15 miles a week, you are doing it for some reason other than health.

Source: Wall Street Journal: One Running Shoe In the Grave.  Image: Crescent Moon