Fast running is as deadly as sitting on couch, scientists find - Telegraph

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/slow-runners-come-out-ahead/ 02-04-2015 8:08am

Comment by Tiffany M Reiss, PhD

More on this: http://heart.bmj.com/content/99/8/588.2.extract 02-10-2015 2:14pm

Comment by Tiffany M Reiss, PhD

This is interesting.  I usually run 3-4 times per week for 30 minutes each day with a pace of 8:30 per mile which is right at 7 miles per hour.  My weekly duration is good, but I guess I need to slow down!  I didn't think 7 miles per hour was very fast for a workout. 02-23-2015 1:13pm

Comment by Jesse Allen

I think first, this is just one study.... | Second, think of exercise as being cumulative.  3-4 times per week is not nearly as damaging as 6 days per week, week after week...year after year.  I think ultimately this is about... more »I think first, this is just one study.... | Second, think of exercise as being cumulative.  3-4 times per week is not nearly as damaging as 6 days per week, week after week...year after year.  I think ultimately this is about adequate rest and recovery...you might be getting enough only going 3-4 days per week. 02-23-2015 2:14pm

Comment by Tiffany M Reiss, PhD

Adequate rest and recovery is definitely important (something I have learned the hard way since I began rock climbing...) | I also wonder what other confounding factors there are to these sorts of studies, particularly personality. This is my... more »Adequate rest and recovery is definitely important (something I have learned the hard way since I began rock climbing...) | I also wonder what other confounding factors there are to these sorts of studies, particularly personality. This is my thought when I read studies showing that people who drink alcohol, eat chocolate, or drink coffee in moderation live longer. There are obvious detriments to overdoing those things, but might the benefits of small amounts also be attributed to the mental health of people who can indulge moderately? Not so high-strung as to practice asceticism, but controlled and balanced enough to moderate? | In this case, perhaps habitually pushing oneself to their physical limits may reflect other extremes. 02-23-2015 7:19pm

Comment by Dylan Simpson

Very good points Dylan!  I do think eventually we will hone in on what is certain to be some kind of optimum "threshold" for exercise just like everything else.  You are correct in that most (but not all) of the types of... more »Very good points Dylan!  I do think eventually we will hone in on what is certain to be some kind of optimum "threshold" for exercise just like everything else.  You are correct in that most (but not all) of the types of individuals that do excel in that type of intense running likely share similar personality characteristics.  The same characteristics that make them great and competitive athletes, might also contribute to their inability to rest and recover adequately which could have detrimental long term consequences. | Rest and recovery are key here = moderation.  Something that sounds so simple but in reality is very difficult to achieve for many competitive, highly driven individuals. 02-23-2015 8:20pm

Comment by Tiffany M Reiss, PhD