Will distance running training destroy a youthful appearance?

Theres studies on this and the answer is no lol

citius5000 wrote:

Theres studies on this and the answer is no lol

I think the evidence for distance training being bad is low. Excessive sun exposure though is a clear factor

levchenko wrote:

Some say yes some say no.

I would have to say yes. The stress oxidation frequency, the low body fat, and the damage to muscle atrophy.

When I think of the 40 year old runners I see that have been training since highschool, it seems to be a common occurrence of a bad hairline also.

Not nearly as much as getting fat and living hard with alcohol. Meth and opioids are obviously even worse.

Went to my high school 20th reunion, and was just depressed at how wrecked most of the folks seemed. Those who were even within probably 20 pounds of high school weight were pretty rare.

Whether running will make me look younger or older in the long run, I don't know. But I do know it makes me feel younger, and that's priceless.

Advanced glycation end products and advanced oxidation protein products.: Makeyou have aged skin and old slow non-elastic tendons and ligaments, etc.

No it doesn't. If anything it helps maintain youthful appearance unless you run in the sun all day and cook your skin.

I am 39 and look younger than almost everybody in my class.

wear sunscreen!

One reason you might see correlation is poor diet and exercise outside of running. Some runners think that since they're burning so many calories, they can eat junk and skip strength training and stay healthy.

But in reality, if you run 100+mpw but otherwise act like an 300lb prediabetic unhealthy American, you become a 120lb prediabetic unhealthy American. You stay super thin but get all the other conditions like poor cholesterol, low muscle mass, and possibly acne and skin conditions.

Also exposing yourself to the elements will probably make your face look a bit older. And the sweat can cause acne. But as long as you have good skincare and don't expose yourself too much, I think you can still look fine.

^ American stereotype, not trying to start a flamewar and I live in the US myself.

I've run around 100,000 miles, and I look about 15-20 years younger than my age (based other people's reactions). Favorable genetics (Asian) is the reason, and running only helps by keeping me fit.

I'm in my early 50s and people are often surprised that I'm anything over 40.

The best for this is probably a compromise - running for health, doing some weights, being outside but not excessively (not working outside unfortunately), not marathon training.

The sun would.

Staying thin helps some ways and hurts other ways.

The best American distance runner of this generation still looks like he’s 12 years old…

Dingler wrote:

The best American distance runner of this generation still looks like he’s 12 years old…

@ 30, yes oxidation hasn't damaged yet

@ 40, yes, nice and fit, skin starting to get dryer and krinkly though

@ 50, still slim, still fit but skin and face look way weathered, calves and legs start to get paper machete'd especially if you lose weight as you age (muscle atrophy = baggy skin)

60? Dunno, haven't gotten there yet!

BTW, has anyone seen Lance Armstrong lately?

Oxidation has left Lance looking like he's 75 already!

I'm 63 and I was carded twice last week buying cigarettes and beer.

dio wrote:

The sun would.

Staying thin helps some ways and hurts other ways.

thin is good. Gaunt isnt. Those last 5-10lbs between thin and racing weight negatively affect peoples appearence. There was a study out there that said male physical appearence was best at ~25 bmi. 5'10 165 isnt really skinny or fat for normal muscle mass.

Look at the people who trained hard for decades…..with a few exceptions most look at least 10 years older than actual age. Definitely takes a toll.

You make some good points about lance Armstrong.

He is probably fitter than 99% of males his age but looks far more older and weathered than them also.

I’m not sure which one is better to be.