Most high school runners must show evidence of having a medical check-up before being allowed to join an organized school team.
Many older runners schedule regular physical exams to assure they remain in good health.
Preventive medicine has become very popular in the last several decades, because of the influence of Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, author of the best-selling book, Aerobics . Regardless of your age, get a check-up from a licensed physician before you begin to run. Running is a benign form of exercise. In fact, statistics show that we have fewer cardiovascular problems because of our healthy lifestyles. Nevertheless, getting a physical exam is as important as choosing a comfortable pair of shoes.