Effects of running distance and performance on incident benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is generally not considered a preventable condition. Our goal is to assess whether running (a vigorous physical activity) and 10-km race performance (an indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness) reduce BPH risk.

Prospective cohort study of incident BPH in 28,612 nonsmoking, nonvegetarian, nondiabetic men.

The 1899 men (6.64%) reported physician-diagnosed incident BPH during (mean +/- SD) 7.74 +/- 1.84 yr of follow-up. Survival analyses showed significantly lower risk with both longer distance run (km x wk(-1); P < 0.0001) and faster 10-km performance (m x s(-1); P = 0.0004) independent of age, BMI, and meat, fish, fruit, and alcohol intake. When adjusted for age, the fastest men (> or =4.0 m x s(-1)) had 32% lower risk than the slowest men (<3 m x s(-1); P = 0.0006). The decline in incidence extended throughout the performance range, with even the fastest category (> or =4 m x s(-1)) having significantly lower risk than the penultimate fastest category (3.5-4.0 m x s(-1); P = 0.03). The decline in BPH risk with running distance was independent of performance. BPH incidence was more strongly related to the average of the baseline and the follow-up distance run than to concurrent changes in running distance between baseline and follow-up. Incident BPH was significantly lower in men who ran >16 than <16 km x wk(-1) (P = 0.05), >32 than 16-32 km x wk(-1) (P = 0.02), and >48 than 32-48 km x wk(-1) (P = 0.04).

Greater distances run per week may reduce BPH risk independent of BMI, 10-km performance, and diet. If the relationship is causal, then this health benefit accrues at greater exercise doses and intensities than the minimum guideline levels currently recommended.