Moderate-to-high intensity exercise like jogging, swimming, or tennis may help reduce stroke risk in older men. But sorry ladies, for some reason the results don’t translate for women.

A study included almost 3,300 men and women in Manhattan, with an average age of 69. The men who did moderate-to-high intensity exercise were 63 percent less likely to have a stroke than people who didn’t exercise. Over a five year period, the baseline risk of ischemic stroke (the leading type of stroke) for all participants was 4.3 percent; 2.7 percent for those who did moderate-to-high intensity exercise and 4.6 percent for those who didn’t exercise.

I believe there is no better exercise for the body than running. Running increases the heart rate, which in turn burns calories during and after the bout of exercise. This type of exercise helps relieve stress, decreases the risk of heart disease due to the flow of blood through the veins and arteries (clears blockages), strengthens the heart, increases stamina and endurance, and is a great way to get away from the world for a little while.

I strongly believe the key to success while running is listening to your body. Push yourself, but listen to your body. If your body tells you enough is enough; then stop for now and pick it back up the next day. In a way, running is kind of like yoga. In yoga, you stretch as far as your body allows and you maintain that certain stretch or position for a period of time and then release it. Eventually your body will allow you to stretch further and further, but it does not happen over night.