Jogging, once thought to be too strenuous for middle aged people is considered to be not only healthy but beneficial enough to add years to your life.

Researcher Peter Schnohr told delegates that the study’s most recent analysis, which has yet to be published, shows that between one and two-and-a-half hours of jogging per week at a “slow or average” pace delivers optimum benefits for longevity.

“The results of our research allow us to definitively answer the question of whether jogging is good for your health,” said Schnohr, who is chief cardiologist of the Copenhagen City Heart Study. “We can say with certainty that regular jogging increases longevity. The good news is that you don’t actually need to do that much to reap the benefits.”

Always consult your physician when beginning a new exercise.