Running is the best exercise to keep you feeling young: Study

A new study claims that if you want to stay and feel young, running may be the best way to do it.

The joint effort between the University of Colorado Boulder and Humboldt State University found that senior citizens who run several times a week stayed healthier and younger, according to the findings.

The study, published Thursday in PLOS ONE, took 15 men and 15 women with an average age of 69 who were already consistent runners or walkers. Participants walked on special treadmills at three different speeds and had their oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production measured during their sessions.

The study focused on 30 healthy seniors with an average age of 69. Researchers had them walk on a treadmill at three speeds-1.6 mph, 2.8 mph and 3.9 mph-and measured the amount of oxygen they consumed and the carbon dioxide they produced.

The runners consumed 7 to 10 percent less energy than the walkers. Importantly, there weren't any apparent biomechanical differences between the groups, such as differences in stride time or stride frequency that might account for the results.

"It's been known for a long time that as people age their maximum aerobic capacity, or 'horsepower,' declines, and that is true for runners as well," said Humboldt State professor Justus Ortega. "What's new here is we found that old runners maintain their fuel economy."

"It was surprising to find that older adults who regularly run for exercise are better walkers than older adults who regularly walk for exercise," added Owen Beck. "The take-home message of the study is that consistently running for exercise seems to slow down the aging process and allows older individuals to move more easily, improving their independence and quality of life," he said.