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Outrunning the risks: a behavioral risk profile of runners
1Division of Chronic Disease Control and Community Intervention, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Running is associated with healthier behaviors like not smoking and maintaining a normal weight. However, female runners showed increased risks for alcohol misuse and drunk driving compared to nonrunners.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Population-based studies are crucial for understanding the interplay between physical activity and other health behaviors.
- Existing research highlights the need for detailed analysis of the
- runner's lifestyle
- and its health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral risk factor profiles of runners compared to nonrunners.
- To identify differences in health behaviors associated with running.
- To explore the potential protective effects of running against chronic disorders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the state-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
- Analyzed data from 2,412 runners and 26,538 nonrunners.
- Compared behavioral risk factors including smoking, alcohol use, hypertension, obesity, and seat-belt use between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Runners exhibited significantly healthier profiles, being more likely to be non-smokers, maintain normal weight, and be normotensive than nonrunners.
- Runners were also more likely to use seat belts regularly.
- While male runners and nonrunners showed similar alcohol use patterns, female runners were more prone to chronic alcohol use and drinking and driving.
Conclusions:
- The
- runner's lifestyle
- appears to offer a degree of protection against chronic diseases linked to the studied risk factors.
- Further prospective research is necessary to elucidate the detailed relationship between running and health risks/benefits.