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This article is from the running Beginners' FAQ, by Ozzie Gontang with numerous contributions by others.

1 Why Exercise ?

Aerobic exercise will improve your cardiovascular and pulmonary systems
(i.e. your heart and lungs), improve your muscle tone, may give you more
energy, may help you lose weight and will help you look and feel better.
It will reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Physical activity
probably increases longevity by one to two years.

People who exercise are claimed to be happier (R. Carter, "Exercise and
Happiness", Journal of Sports Medicine 17, 1977). Exercise reduces tension
and anxiety. Exercise is as effective a treatment for mild depression as
drugs. Exercise increases perceived quality of life.

Studies have claimed that healthy adults who regularly exercised had
greater energy, patience, humor, ambition, greater emotional stability,
imaginativeness, self-sufficiency and assurance, conscientiousness and
persistence. They are more amiable, graceful, good-tempered, elated and
easygoing than control groups. With benefits like these, it's a wonder
running isn't compulsory ;-)

 

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