Canadian Running: Short Runs Still Have Major Health Benefits, Research Says

There’s a consensus that running has positive effects on our physical and mental health, but how many miles do runners need to log before they reap rewards? Most people know those who exercise have less risk for heart disease, cancer and diabetes and tend to live longer, and it’s a commonly held belief that the more time spent pounding the pavement, the greater the benefits. Recent research suggests we don’t actually need to run very much to reap the rewards.

There’s a growing body of evidence that correlates even much shorter running sessions to significant health benefits, especially those regarding longevity and mental health. Dr. James H. O’Keefe, director of preventive cardiology at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Mo., says that going for a two-mile (3.2 km) run several times a week seems to give people the full benefit of running, in terms of longevity, specifically.

Read the full Canadian Running article: Short Runs Still Have Major Health Benefits, Research Says