Lifefit: An Effective Exercise Program for Optimal Health and a Longer Life

Discusses the health benefits of exercise, and suggests a program designed with the goal of lifelong fitness

The name Ralph S. Paffenbarger, Jr. ("Paff" to his friends) may not be as recognizable as Fonda or Schwarzenegger. But among fitness professionals, Dr. Paffenbarger is considered a true pioneer.

In 1960 Paff embarked on the College Alumni Health Study, commonly known as the "College Study," that investigated the exercise habits of more than 50,000 University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University alumni. The results of this study demonstrated that people who are more physically active live longer and have a lower risk of coronary heart disease.

In 1996 Paffenbarger was one of two people to receive the first International Olympic Committee Olympic Prize in sport science. The Prize is the most prestigious award honoring research excellence in science applied to human movement, exercise, and sport.

Paffenbarger holds an MD from the Northwestern University Medical School and a DrPH in epidemiology from the School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. His early career was spent in poliomyelitis research as an officer in the United States Public Health Service. Later, when polio was no longer a public health problem, Paff began his landmark study of the relations between physical activity, chronic disease, and longevity.

Paffenbarger maintains a heavy schedule as a professor at both Stanford University School of Medicine and Harvard University School of Public Health and as a research epidemiologist at the University of California at Berkeley. While these activities often keep Paff busy, he still practices what he has long preached, an active and fit way of life. In 1967, at the age of 45, Paff took up jogging: He now has more than 150 marathon and ultra-marathon events to his credit. He has run the Boston Marathon 22 times and the Western States National Endurance Run, a grueling 100-mile race across the Sierra Nevada mountains, 5 times. Although he has slowed down slightly, Paff still walks and jogs regularly.

Award-winning journalist Eric Olsen is the author of several hundred articles on exercise, fitness, health, and peak performance. A former senior writer for The Runner (1977-86), Eric is a contributor to such well-known publications as Men’s Fitness, Hippocrates, American Health, Prime Health and Fitness, Success, Money, Parent Magazine, and Reader’s Digest. He also serves as an editor of a community health magazine sponsored by a major medical center in Oakland, California.

Olsen holds an AB in letters and a master of fine arts from the University of Iowa’s Writers Workshop. He has been selected as an "outstanding journalist" by the Road Runners Club of America, and he was named a James A. Michener Fellow by the Copernicus Foundation in 1984.

Olsen is firmly committed to exercise, practicing both aerobic and strength training. He also enjoys weight-lifting, martial arts, reading, and writing mystery novels.

Paff and Olsen are neighbors in Berkeley, California.