Running and longevity - what you should look out for
7.4.2026
Translation: machine translated
Running keeps you young and healthy - but only if there are no injuries and your body cooperates. Luise Walther, an expert in neuro-centred training, gives tips on how you can improve the quality of your movement with simple exercises.
I recently celebrated my birthday again. And that means I'm officially a year older. First of all: no matter what the number says, I feel young and still have a few sporting adventures planned. These include long runs on narrow, mountainous trails.
I was clearly interested in the topic of «running and longevity». I didn't want to miss the presentation by author and athlete Luise Walther at the ISPO sports trade fair at the «Runner's World» symposium. Not because I absolutely want to live longer. «Longer than what?», I ask myself.
But because I want to know: «How can I live the remaining years as actively, vibrantly and adventurously as possible? How can I continue to hop over hill and dale in ten, 15, 20 years' time without pain, injuries and constant aches and pains?»
Quality of movement is crucial
«We already know that exercise keeps you young», says Luise, who specialises in neuro-focused training. A look at the data reveals that regular running increases life expectancy by three to six years. It improves cardiovascular health, stress resistance, cognitive functions and mental health,
The really important question is therefore: «Does your nervous system enable you to run in a way that keeps you young?». Because only those who avoid injuries and incorrect strain and can therefore jog regularly will benefit from the health-promoting properties of this popular sport.
«The quality of exercise is crucial», she emphasises. This is why the focus on longevity is also shifting priorities. Away from: as fast as possible and as far as possible. Towards: high quality of movement, sufficient recovery, sensorimotor stability, an improved foot-brain connection and a more mobile hip.
The nervous system ages and influences movement
Luise is a specialist in neuro-centred training, a form of training in which the nervous system plays a crucial role. Many competitive athletes swear by supplementary neuroathletics training, which aims to improve balance, responsiveness, precision of movement and the targeted use of strength. However, some of the exercises seem unusual: in addition to mobility and balance exercises, they also include eye training. Even the position of the tongue plays a role.
Scientifically, the effectiveness of neuroathletic training has not been clearly proven. While studies such as this on grip strength show no effects compared to conventional training, others such as this find improvements in strength, flexibility and stability in competitive volleyball players. You have to decide for yourself whether this type of supplementary training is right for you. My approach: I definitely want to try it out
Exercises to try out
During her presentation, Luise asks the audience to balance on one leg with their eyes closed while the other leg is raised at the hip at a 90-degree angle. Not easy at all. Personally, I'm a big fan of these exercises, as if not because of the challenge. Because even if the effectiveness of neuroathletic training has not yet been clearly demonstrated in studies, balance and stability exercises are beneficial for almost all sports. And as balance decreases with age, I'm even more motivated to train it more than before.
The hip pendulum is also one of my new favourites. The exercise described above remains the same, but you can open your eyes. The lower leg of the raised leg then swings to the right and left. This is also quite a challenge. But the movement is good for my hips, they feel looser and more flexible afterwards. This exercise is also great for warming up before running.
As balance and vision are closely linked, I am also fully involved in the eye and neck exercises. This involves keeping the thumb in sight while moving the head up, down, left and right. These exercises are called yes- and no-sayers. In the video you can see the yes-sayer variant.
Regular exercise for longevity
The recommended exercises don't take much time and can be integrated into the warm-up before running, but also into everyday life. «Small daily inputs can have a big impact», says the neuroathletics expert, who is an enthusiastic runner herself and takes part in Hyrox competitions.
«Running prolongs life. Neuro-centred training ensures that you
can run longer», she summarises her philosophy. After all, alongside good sleep, rest, nutrition and social contact, exercise is one of the pillars that helps us to grow old healthily.
If you want to delve deeper into the topics of longevity and neuroathletic training from Luise Walther's perspective and get to know her experiences and those from her everyday coaching life better, these books might be something for you:
If you want to get an overview of neuroathletic training, you can find books by Lars Lienhard, who popularised the training approach in German-speaking countries and was part of the coaching team for the German national football team and the German Olympic athletics team.
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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