European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 3, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Fifty plus and fit s&5. Kon Clinson an elderly runner rounds a Corner in last years West Berlin Marathon. By Sheila Norman Culp associated press athletes run for Many reasons but members of the fifty plus runners association have found a new one they run for science. Of course the members run for All those other reasons too keeping fit Osing weight improving their heart and Ungs dealing with tension or depression or becoming a or staying competitive. Their personal goals dovetail nicely with researchers desires to learn More about the effects of extended physical activity on older people. A we see this organization As a role Model a pioneering group. Its a whole new lifestyle for older men and women Quot said Keith Johnsgard president of fifty-3lus and a professor at san Jose state University in California. A they done to have to live the sedentary life that older people do or Are expected  fifty plus is not a running club. Sponsored by the Center for research in disease prevention at Stanford University in Palo Alto Calif., its goal is to gather a is of highly Active seniors for researchers to plumb. Fifty plus has 1,600 members. Topics already being studied include now continued physical exercise affects osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Researchers have found that older runners male and female had about 40 percent More Bone Mineral a and no More tendencies toward osteoarthritis in their Knees a than seniors who Don t exercise. Quot before this it was generally thought that people who spent a lot of time running would invariably damage their Mees Quot said Peter Wood a biochemist former fifty plus president and co author of the study. Researchers also have found that fifty Lus members consumed 40 percent to 60 percent More calories daily than their sedentary Peers a but had higher Levels of the Quot Good Quot cholesterol High density Lipoprotein cholesterol which has been associated with a relatively Low risk of heart disease. Quot when you Are eating a Good amount you Are More Likely to get an adequate Supply of nutrients a and for women a Good Supply of Calcium Quot Wood said. The group s most recent Survey found that 85 percent of its members were men on average they Are 59.8 years old have been running for 13.7 years and cover 26.4 Miles per week. Forty five percent had completed a Marathon 26.2 Miles and the vast majority had run at least one 10-Kilometer 6.2 Miles race. Fifty plus women averaged 58.8 years had been running for 9.5 years and covered an average of 21.2 Miles a week. Fifty plus now is looking for a corporate sponsor to help increase its membership and attract a wider group of scientists. Quot we d like to expand membership and get some really Good Long term studies going a Johnsgard said Quot bring in some Young hot shot epidemiologist who can study us until we re All dead. We Are too old to do the really Long term  several members cited the research emphasis As the reason they joined fifty plus. Quot the studies attracted me to it Quot said Kent Gartner 56, a cell biologist at Memphis state University who has been running for 20 years. A the research they re doing is not Only interesting its important Quot said Bob Binzer 67, of Madison ind. Quot its inspiring and you get Good advice from the  Binzer was referring to the association s quarterly newsletter which summarizes research involving members and publishes health and sports related articles. Quot i really enjoy the newsletter and it s great they re doing this research Quot agreed Betty Brinkmann 55, of Brighton Colo. A dietician she says she often uses information from the newsletter in her own work with cardiovascular rehabilitation patients. Johnsgard a clinical psychologist has studied what prompts seniors to begin running and then keep running using fifty plus members. The Book that resulted the exercise prescription for depression and anxiety examines the beneficial effects of continued physical activity on seniors mental health. The athletes get together once a year for a seminar and business meeting a generous pasta dinner and an 8-Kilometer run. Age group categories for the race begin at 50 and go up to 100 in five year intervals with nearly 400 runners expected. Quot it s a gathering of the Brothers and the Sisters a a tribal thing Quot Johnsgard said. Quot people who exercise regularly in the . Are unusual but people Over 50 who exercise Are extremely rare. It s like coming  for More information write fitly plus runners association . Box a Stanford Calif. 94305. U Contra in Hon Dun Altu Inorg a re  a to Takoon launching 0�ta Imet in Cadlo Jahil 10._____, 0 Wjk Al Cal ii a Ina Oral Orn iof we 41 a Honduras Hunting a attic Ken Olufs. Ilam tit Page 31th.s%jhilpes Vul no. Ii ten Tara. A. Study Calls for i cuts in Europe 75,000 level by 1999 seen by some a a a a  Sia Piaf by _ ass ssh. Ass asst. Demonstrators at Torrejon Rota demand . Military leave  it s official poll lax now British Law 700 inmates riot at crowded . Prison every Day can make a world of difference in your life in a world that never takes a Day to rest every Day can make a world of difference. A Day can mean the difference Between a Campaign and a Victory. A budget and a budget Cut. A revolutionary idea and a revolution. The stars and stripes has All the news it takes to keep you on top of the world s events. And a subscription to the stars and stripes can assure you that you la never fall a Day behind. Call one of our circulation offices today listing on Page 11 for your subscription to the stars and stripes. Or write to. A tors in j tropes attn sales promotion Apo 09211 the stars and stripes a we can make a world of difference in your life. Every Day. Tuesday april 3,1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 17