Physical activity prolongs healthy life years, but there is need to be cautious The case of Jim Fixx (1932–1984)
Authors:
J. Novák
Authors‘ workplace:
Vedoucí: doc. MUDr. Aleš Kroužecký, Ph. D.
; Ústav sportovní medicíny a aktivního zdraví Lékařské fakulty UK, Plzeň
Published in:
Prakt. Lék. 2022; 102(6): 279-286
Category:
Of different specialties
Overview
Ninety years ago Jim Fixx (1932–1984) was born, author of bestsellers that awakened the general public’s interest in recreational jogging as an effective means of maintaining good health. The very example of the author’s life story was an inspiration for many to change their lifestyle for the better. However, his sudden death during running training showed that even trained runners cannot exclude health risks that in exceptional cases can be life-threatening. More demanding physical activity, such as running undoubtedly represents, should be preceded by a consultation with a general practitioner. In indicated cases, the specialist in sports medicine should have had a significant say on the basis of the stress test.
Keywords:
jogging – marathons – health significance of physical activity – Jim Fixx – risks of endurance runs – importance of preventive examination
Sources
1. Ballard Ch. Running in the age of coronavirus. Sports Illustrated. 21. 5. 2020 [online]. Dostupné z: https://www.si.com/track-andfield/ 2020/05/21/jim-fixx-legacy-running-coronavirus [cit. 2022- 11-20].
2. Begum J. Health benefits of running [online]. Dostupné z: https:// www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/health-benefits-running [cit. 2022-11-20].
3. Carey B. In Fixx’s case, genes overtook exercise. Los Angeles Times, 28. 1. 2002 [online]. Dostupné z https://www.latimes. com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jan-28-he-fixxdeath28-story.html [cit. 2022-11-20].
4. Cooper KH Running without fear: How to reduce the risk of heart attack and sudden death during aerobic exercise. New York: M. Evans & Co 1985.
5. Dayer MJ, Green I. Mortality during marathons: a narrative review of the literature. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2019; 5(1): e000555.
6. Doupalová P, Benušová I, Buriánková I, a spol. Kalciové skóre – stanovení rizika kardiovaskulárního onemocnění. In: XVIII. výroční sjezd ČKS, Brno, 16.–19. 5. 2010. Abstrakt č. 80.
7. Fixx J. The complete book of running. New York: Random House 1977.
8. Fixx J. Jim Fixx’s second book of running. New York: Random House 1980.
9. Fixx J. Jackpot! New York: Random House 1982.
10. Fixx J. Maximum sports performance: with the Nike Sport Research Laboratory. New York: Random House 1985.
11. Gross J, James F. Fixx dies jogging; author on running was 52. The New York Times 22. 7. 1984 [online]. Dostupné z: https://www. nytimes.com/1984/07/22/obituaries/james-f-fixx-dies-joggingauthor- on-running-was-52.html [cit. 2022-11-20].
12. Henderson J. Jim Fixx. 21. 1. 2016 [online]. Dostupné z: http:// joehwritings.blogspot.com/2016/01/jim-fixx.html [cit. 2022-11- 20].
13. Jackson RT, Beaglehole R, Sharpe N. Sudden death in runners. N Z Med J 1983; 96(730): 289–292.
14. Khan S. 74 benefits of running backed by science. RunRepeat, 21. 9. 2021 [online]. Dostupné z: https://runrepeat.com/whatrunning- does-to-your-body [cit. 2022-11-20].
15. Lehmann-Haupt Ch. Books of the Times. The New York Times, 10. 2. 1978, Section C, Page 23 [online]. Dostupné z: https://www. nytimes.com/1986/08/21/books/books-of-the-times-547486.html [cit. 2022-11-20].
16. Lüning H, Mangelus C, Carlström E, et al. Incidence and characteristics of severe exercise-associated collapse at the world’s largest half-marathon. PLoS One 2019; 14(6): e0217465.
17. Maharam LG, Siegel AJ, Siegel S, et al. IMMDA’s health recommendations for runners & walkers. Approved by the International Marathon Medical Directors Association (IMMDA), Barcelona, 20. 3. 2010 [online]. Dostupné z: http://immda.org/wp-content/ uploads/2015/08/Spring-2010-Health-Recommendations-for- Runners-Walkers.pdf [cit. 2022-11-20].
18. Maron BJ, Poliac LC, Roberts WO. Risk for sudden cardiac death associated with marathon running. J Amer Coll Cardiol 1996; 28(2): 428–431.
19. Marti B, Goerre S, Spuhler T, et al. Plötzliche Todesfälle an Schweizer Volksläufen 1978–1987: eine epidemiologisch-pathologische Studie. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 1989; 119(15): 473–482.
20. Mirkin G. Jim Fixx, running guru [online]. Dostupné z: https:// www.drmirkin.com/histories-and-mysteries/jim-fixx-runningguru. html [cit. 2022-11-20].
21. Mirkin G. Running guru Jim Fixx’s death shocked the nation. Villages News, 24. 2.2018 [online]. Dostupné z: https://www. villages-news.com/2018/02/24/running-guru-jim-fixxs-deathshocked- nation/ [cit. 2022-11-20].
22. New York Times. Long-distance tribute to Jim Fixx. New York Times, 18. 7. 1988, Section C, Page 10 [online]. Dostupné z: https:// www.nytimes.com/1988/07/18/sports/long-distance-tribute-tojim- fixx.html [cit. 2022-11-20].
23. Noakes TD. Heart disease in marathon runners: a review. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1987; 19(3): 187–194.
24. Novák J, Kvapilová H, Zeman V. Abnormal coronary bed as a co-participating cause of sudden death during cycling. Plzeň Lék Sborn 2011; 77: 13–16.
25. Patrick D. Ryan Shay dies in U. S. Olympic marathon trials. USA Today. 4. 9. 2007 [online]. Dostupné z: https://usatoday30.usatoday. com/sports/olympics/summer/track/2007-11-03-us-marathon- trials_N.htm [cit. 2022-11-20].
26. Petri A. The Jim Fixx neurosis: running yourself to death. The Washington Post 29. 7. 1984 [online]. Dostupné z: https://www. washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1984/07/29/the-jim-fixxneurosis- running-yourself-to-death/681bd977-8295-4d4a-802cbbfd54684be5/ [cit. 2022-11-20].
27. Plymire DC. Running, heart disease, and the ironic death of Jim Fixx. Res Q Exerc Sport 2002; 73(1): 38–46.
28. Roberts WO, Schwartz RS, Garberich RF, et al. Fifty Men, 3510 marathons, cardiac risk factors, and coronary artery calcium scores. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2017; 49(12): 2369–2373.
29. Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al. 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation 2019; 140(11): e596–e646.
30. Schmermund A, Voigtländer T, Nowak B. The risk of marathon runners-live it up, run fast, die young? Eur Heart J 2008; 29(15): 1800–1802.
31. Siegel AJ. Preventing sudden cardiac death during marathons with pre-race aspirin. World J Cardiovascular Dis 2015; 5(8): 211–217.
32. Skála P. Česko je jednička v pořádání vytrvalostních silničních běhů. SportovníListy.CZ 9. 12. 2014 [online]. Dostupné z: http:// www.sportovnilisty.cz/cesko-je-jednicka-v-poradani-vytrvalostnich- silnicnich-behu-2/?style=mobile [cit. 2022-11-20].
33. Šochman J, Vedlich D, Peregrin J. Význam koronárního kalciového skóre ve spektru vyšetřovacích metod. Prakt. Lék. 2006; 86(12): 714–717.
34. Štork M, Novák J, Zeman V. Noninvasive medical examination and optimal physical activity prescription based on stress test. 14th WSEAS Internat. Conf. on Systems 2010; 580–584.
35. Thompson PD, Funk EJ, Carleton RA, et al. Incidence of death during jogging in Rhode Island from 1975 through 1980. JAMA 1982; 247(18): 2535–2538.
36. Thompson PD, Buchner D, Pina IL, et al. Exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a statement from the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity). Circulation 2003; 107(24): 3109–3116.
37. Vůjtek K. Obecná vytrvalost jako základní prvek přípravy běžce. Svět běhu, 6. 1. 2019 [online]. Dostupné z: https://www.svetbehu. cz/obecna-vytrvalost-jako-zakladni-prvek-pripravy-bezce/ [cit. 2022-11-20].
38. Warburton DER, Bredin SSD. Health benefits of physical activity: a systematic review of current systematic reviews. Curr Opin Cardiol 2017; 32(5): 541–556.
39. WHO. World Health Organization Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Geneva: WHO 2020.
40. Wikipedia. Jim Fixx [online]. Dostupné z: https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Jim_Fixx [cit. 2022-11-20].
41. Wood R. MET: Calculating calories burned during physical activity. Topend Sports Website, 2008 [online]. Dostupné z: https://www. topendsports.com/weight-loss/energy-met.htm [cit. 2022-11-20].
Labels
General practitioner for children and adolescents General practitioner for adultsArticle was published in
General Practitioner
2022 Issue 6
Most read in this issue
- Homenursing care after a strokefrom the perspectiveofpatients
- The multidisciplinary team in primary care – cooperation between an occupational therapist and a general practitioner
- Indications, timing and initiation of mobile specialized palliative care and the role of the general practitioner
- Possibilities of using a standardized questionnaire to detect hearing loss