The benefits of running are well documented, but it seems the advantages increase exponentially as you age. Regular running can help slow the effects of time, lead to a longer life and improve quality of life in ageing runners, according to a study by the Stanford University Scho...

member, or friend, or colleague who’s always worrying about the toll running is taking on your knees, hips, and back. You might even be worried yourself. We all know a few one-time runners forced to become swimmers, cyclists, or power-walkers. We wonder

and feet. Stretches your hamstrings, calves, Achilles tendons, back and shoulders. 2. Lying spinal twistStart on your back with both legs straight. Hug your right knee in towards your chest, and hook your right foot behind your left knee. Then roll to your

lean back to increase the stretch in the front of your thigh. Take care if you have ankle problems, and stay tall in your upper body to avoid compressing your lower back. 2. Bent-leg standing hamstrings stretchBe thoroughly warmed up before you attempt

parallel with the floor.Keep your weight on your front foot – your back leg is for balance only. Make sure your front knee stays behind your toes. Pushing up through the front foot, return your feet to the start position, and lower arms to shoulders.Do 20

You know that adding some weight training to your programme will help your running by making you more stable and powerful, but what if you don’t fancy joining a gym? Here’s the answer: stay at home and use your own body weight for all-round strength

’m worried, though, that I won’t get back to the standard I’d reached before my pregnancy. What should I do?A There are plenty of examples of female runners who’ve come back just as good, if not better, after pregnancy. Liz McColgan and Derartu Tulu are just

leg just below your knee and ensure that you’re close enough to the wall for your lower back to be off the floor. As gravity gently brings your lower back towards the floor, you’ll feel a stretch in the muscles around the side of your buttocks. Adjust

you maintain proper form and run efficiently, even through fatigue. With strong lower abs and lower-back muscles, such as the erector spinae, it's easier to stay upright. If your core is weak, you may end up shuffling, slouching and putting too much

Take three or four days off and you may come back stronger. But after a week you lose about two to four per cent of your fitness per week. If you know you're in for a layoff, do short but intense efforts to forestall losses - 30 minutes of exercise are all