A new study by Sheffield Hallam University and The University of Sheffield, UK, reveals that participation in Parkrun, a weekly 5-kilometer social run (or walk), significantly benefits life satisfaction among its least active participants. In the paper, titled "The impact of parkrun on life satisfaction and its cost-effectiveness : A six-month study of parkrunners in the United Kingdom," published in PLOS Global Public Health , those who were the least physically active before joining Parkrun experienced the most significant gains in well-being, highlighting the event's potential as a cost-effective public health intervention. Parkrun and physical activity initiatives like it have been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat physical inactivity, which it considers one of the leading risk factors for noncommunicable disease mortality.
According to the WHO, "People who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active." Parkrun reports around 200,000 people taking part in the event each week in the UK alone, and organizes similar events in 22 other countries. Aside from its success, it can also provide researchers with a model to gain insights into the effectiveness of activity on life satisfaction.
The study tracked 548 newly registered runners over a six-month period. Participant life satisfaction was measured at the beginning of the study and again at the end using a visual analog scale. Parti.