Those who jogged at a steady pace for less than two and a half hours a week were least likely to die in this time.

 

But those who ran more than four hours a week or did no exercise had the highest death rates.

 

 

Analysing questionnaires filled out by all the people in the Danish study, scientists concluded the ideal pace was about 5mph (8km/h) and that it was best to jog no more than three times a week or for 2.5 hours in total.

 

People who jogged more intensively - particularly those who jogged more than three times a week or at a pace of more than 7mph - were as likely to die as those who did no exercise.

 

Researcher Jacob Louis Marott, from the Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen, said: "You don't actually have to do that much to have a good impact on your health.

 

"And perhaps you shouldn't actually do too much.

 

"No exercise recommendations across the globe mention an upper limit for safe exercise, but perhaps there is one."

 

Scientists are not yet sure what is behind this trend - but they say changes to the heart during extreme exercise could contribute. 

 

 

In their report, they suggest: "Long-term strenuous¹ endurance exercise may induce pathological structural² remodelling³ of the heart and arteries⁴."

 

Maureen Talbot, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "This study shows that you don't have to run marathons to keep your heart healthy.

 

"Light and moderate jogging was found to be more beneficial than being inactive or undertaking⁵ strenuous jogging, possibly adding years to your life.

 

"National guidelines recommend we do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week.

 

"It may sound like a lot, but even brisk walking is good exercise. And if you're bit of a couch potato, this is a good place to start."

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