2M views · Nov 28, 2012 · 18:11 · 3 HN recommenders · 11 mentions · discussed 2016–2026
Cardiologist James O'Keefe argues in a TEDx talk that moderate running confers the best longevity benefits, while extreme endurance training can damage the heart. He draws on data and his own experience as a lifelong runner.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN cites it whenever people question whether more exercise is always better, especially extreme endurance running.
“I think about this TED Talk from 2012 a lot..”HN comment, 2025
“I think about this TED Talk from 2012 a lot..”
Data-driven talk that changed the commenter's fitness goals.
I think about this TED Talk from 2012 a lot.. and he presents some data. It changed some of my goals, and I’m a bit more multi-sport than I used to be. Run for your life! At a comfortable pace, and not too far: James O'Keefe at TED×UMKC this video
“Here's an interesting video if you are an extreme athlete”
Cardiac researcher explains how extreme exercise can damage the heart.
Here's an interesting video if you are an extreme athlete: it is a cardiac researcher and lifelong exerciser who identifies that such exercise patterns damage the heart: this video
“overexercise can damage the heart by James OKeefe, a cardiologist and lifetime obsessive runner”
Cardiologist and runner on heart scarring from long-distance exercise.
On the topic of how overexercise can damage the heart by James OKeefe, a cardiologist and lifetime obsessive runner: Notably he points out that they tested people blood after doing long distance events and found that many of them had chemicals usually found in heart attack victims, indicating heart damage. Basically he says that the long term overexercise/heart damage means the heart muscle constantly has microtears which heal up and the healed tissue is scar tissue which is hard and not like normal heart tissue - much harder and less elastic. So people who overtrain end up with a heart much older than their physical age. this video Transcript: link Another video: link And from another author on extreme exercise and the heart: link
“I think watching this Ted might be helpful”
Explains how intense daily running can scar heart tissue.
I believe running your heart at such high intensity every day isn't particularly healthy. It causes scarring of the heart tissue and possible problems as you age. I think watching this Ted might be helpful: this video
“He recommends running a little, not a lot.”
Longevity stats for runners; recommends running a little, not a lot.
This guy looked at longevity stats for runners. He recommends running a little, not a lot. 2012 TEDx Talk: this video
“some of something is great does not mean more of it is better”
Talk arguing moderate running is better than extreme amounts.
As always some of something is great does not mean more of it is better: "Run for your life! At a comfortable pace, and not too far: James O'Keefe at TEDxUMKC" this video
Cited as source for moderate running advice.
Numerous studies show that exercise provides U-shaped benefits to health [1], [2]. Specific to cardiovascular disease, repeat marathon runners [3] have higher calcium buildup than those who do not run in marathons, which as Robin might say, is one of those cases where the animal is driven too hard. While you have a point for extreme exertion, I'm not sure what you mean by "lazy". Current general recommendations are 150 minutes a week, or <30 minutes a day [4], which definitely falls underneath moderate exercise. I don't think "no one" is ignoring these recommendations (or, at least, they agree with them-- few people follow them :^)). As for your grandpa's longevity-- your genetics is just a risk modifier, not a nullifier. Wearing a seatbelt doesn't prevent your death, it just reduces your odds of it during a car crash. So, at least, I hope you still wear your seatbelt, because the time cost of this activity is so miniscule compared to the time reward. As I like to say, "Run for your life! At a comfortable pace, and not too far" [5] EDIT: I should add-- I ran competitively a few years ago. My "animal" is no longer as fierce, and thus am a bit more moderate these days. But there is a large emotional aspect and validation to pushing yourself that goes beyond physical health. As with any sport-- running, swimming, football, basketball-- the physical toll is worth it. This, though, is what I would classify under Robin's description of a "tired animal" and is likely what Bolt, MJ,
“Running long distances regularly isn't healthy”
Argues long-distance running is not healthy for the heart.
>My uncle was a professional national level runner Running long distances regularly isn't healthy: this video Multiple studies have found a U-shaped curve of CAC scores as a function of regular running distance/intensity: link Conclusion A significantly higher rate of coronary artery calcification existed in long-term marathon, ultramarathon, and extreme runners than in submarathon runners. Marathoners and ultramarathoners also had a higher incidence of calcification, as well as higher average plaque burden, as compared to a standard database. Marathoners and ultramarathoners also had above-average coronary calcium scores as compared to a national database. Other forms of endurance exercise (swimming, cycling) have similar effects if taken to excess . Sprinting short distances is great, and walking seems to have no upperbound on how much you can safely do of it (the Hadza do it all day and have childlike levels of LDL and minimal CAC).
Warns that running too far or fast may be hazardous.
Great story. Think twice though before adopting mind over matter approach. The Born to Run hero died at ~60 while doing a 12 mile training run of massive heart damage. Running too far or even with too fast a pace may be hazardous for the average individual according to scientists studying this subject this video
Quoted older comment citing the talk on overexercise.
Big issue of doing running. ——- read the old HN below and if not at least these “andrewstuart on Oct 24, 2020 | prev | next [–] On the topic of how overexercise can damage the heart by James OKeefe, a cardiologist and lifetime obsessive runner: Notably he points out that they tested people blood after doing long distance events and found that many of them had chemicals usually found in heart attack victims, indicating heart damage. Basically he says that the long term overexercise/heart damage means the heart muscle constantly has microtears which heal up and the healed tissue is scar tissue which is hard and not like normal heart tissue - much harder and less elastic. So people who overtrain end up with a heart much older than their physical age. this video Transcript: link ... Another video: link And from another author on extreme exercise and the heart: link ... DoreenMichele on Oct 24, 202… about walking “
Source for claim that ultra training damages the heart.
It’s well known ultra training destroys your heart. In any sport. They tested the blood of marathon runners and found heart attack markers in many of them because the heart muscle is being damaged and healing and scarring and hardening the muscle leaving young ultra trainers with the heart of an 80 year old. The best modern advice is don’t overtrain. this video
