A study was conducted in the UK which recruited 138 healthy adults with no marathon experience. The participants then spent six months training for the London Marathon. At the start of the study, the researchers used a heart scanning technique that measures the stiffness of the aorta; increased arterial stiffness is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, and it’s also thought to be a sign of aging. The researchers repeated these scans after the participants completed their first marathon. The study found that training was associated with reduced aortic stiffness. This was calculated to be the equivalent of reducing the “biological age” of blood vessels by up to four years. While we don’t know if reduced arterial stiffness actually improves heart health and longevity, we do know that regular physical activity can improve health. Running is not for everyone, other forms of exercise such as cycling, swimming or walking may be equally beneficial and it is important to follow current recommendations for regular physical activity. If you’re planning to fit in a new year then running a marathon could be your first exercise goal, but be sure to take it gradually and you can start by using other methods of gradually improving your fitness level, including short distance running, swimming and cycling. The study was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American College of Cardiology. All participants were advised to follow a “beginner’s training program” for marathon running. Running was to be performed 3 times per week, with increasing difficulty in the months leading up to the marathon. Conclusion This interesting study recruited untrained adults to participate in a marathon training program and demonstrated the possible effects on blood pressure and arterial function. It is well recognized that aerobic exercise within personal limits is beneficial for cardiovascular health, overall health, and that increased arterial stiffness is associated with an increased risk of hypertension and heart disease. Therefore, the finding that aerobic training reduces aortic stiffness provides evidence to support this. However, health professionals should be consulted before engaging in strenuous exercise for people with medical conditions. Overall, adults should exercise daily; any activity is better than none, and more is better. Strengthening activities that work all major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms) at least 2 days a week At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week Reducing the amount of time spent sitting down or lying down and eliminating long periods of inactivity.