Running could add years to your life, study says

Runners may live an average of three years longer than people who don't run, according to new research.

But, the best news from this study is that it appears you can reap the benefit even if you run at slow speeds for mere minutes a day, the 15-year study suggests.

"People may not need to run a lot to get health benefits," said lead author Duck-chul Lee, a kinesiology professor at Iowa State University. "I hope this study can motivate more people to start running and to continue [it] as an attainable health goal."

It's not clear from the study whether the longer lifespan is directly caused by running.

U.S. guidelines for physical activity call for a minimum of 75 minutes a week of running or other vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. But those who exercised less than that still received significant health benefits, the new research shows. -- HealthDay