As found in the results of a recently completed study by the Stanford University School of Medicine, it turns out, as if further proof was needed, that jogging slows down those annoying and sometimes concerning effects of aging. Detailed information is to appear in the new issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers have observed 500 regular runners for a twenty year period and have found that non-runners present higher chances of developing a series of disabilities and are more likely to die early deaths than those who include jogging in their daily routine.

James Fries, the study's senior author, said his team’s work comes with a "very pro-exercise message." He went on to say that if someone were to select one thing to improve the quality of life while aging, that thing would definitely have to be aerobic exercise.

The research began back in 1984, when 538 runners with ages over 50 started to be tracked. As the years passed by, the participants had to fill up yearly questionnaires in which they answered questions regarding their ability to complete a series of everyday activities, including walking, dressing and gripping certain objects. The results were then compared to those compiled from a group of non-runners.

During the study, some of the participants died; the causes of death were recorded as well. In the end, while from the non-runner group, 34 percent had died, 85 percent of the runners live on.

One of the conclusions of the study was that exercise had lead to a decrease of cardiovascular related deaths. Moreover, deaths caused by cancer, neurological disease or infections also appeared to had been slown down.

The researchers were able to complete the study thanks to grants received from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and from the National Institute on Aging.