Run for your life

The benefits of running

All those pavement-pounders are on to something: regular running is a great way to stay trim, as well as maintain good circulation and heart strength. But there's more – the protein produced during intense exercise like running protects heart cells.

Researchers at the University of Florida studied how exercise increases levels of the protein. Preliminary evidence showed that just five consecutive days of running builds the highest level of the protein. "We saw as much protection in the heart after five days as we did after five weeks," says Dr Scott Powers, director of the Centre for Exercise Science at the University of Florida.

To maintain that heart-healthy level of protein you need to keep running. The researchers haven't yet ascertained how quickly levels of the protective protein decrease once you stop doing regular running, but Dr Powers suspects it will drop off after five days of inactivity.

How to get into running

"Take it slowly – really slowly – until you can comfortably run half an hour without stopping," says Sean Fishpool, editor of runnersworld.co.uk. "Don't be embarrassed if you need regular walk breaks, which you can phase out as the weeks pass. Trying to go too fast, too early leaves loads of people disillusioned or injured."  Lee Más »»