Run more often and live longer, especially if you’re older or ailing, new studies show

Seniors – those over 60 years old – and people with disabilities and chronic conditions should exercise more frequently and for longer to prevent heart disease

Running as little as once a week, and for less than 50 minutes, can lower risk of death, according to an Australian study

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Even 50 minutes of running each week is enough to lower your risk of death. Photo: Watford/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

Published: 8:00am, 15 Dec 2019Updated: 1:50pm, 26 May 2020

Those aged 60 and above should do more exercise to prevent heart disease and stroke, according to a study of more than one million people in South Korea.

Researchers found people who did less moderate or vigorous physical activity as they got older had a 27 per cent increased risk of heart and blood vessel problems, while those who increased their levels of activity had up to 11 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers from Seoul National University examined 1.1 million people aged 60 and over during two consecutive health checks from 2009 to 2010 and 2011 to 2012. The patients were followed up until 2016, and during this period, 10 per cent suffered a heart disease or stroke.

At each health check the participants answered questions about their physical activity and lifestyle. The researchers calculated the amount of moderate and vigorous exercise patients did per week, and how it had changed during the two years between the screenings.

There are many benefits to be gained from running. Illustration: Zeljko Pedisic et al

Examples of moderate exercise included 30 minutes or more a day of brisk walking, dancing or gardening; vigorous exercise included 20 minutes or more a day of running, fast cycling or aerobic exercise.