The link does not compare running versus other forms of exercise. It compares running vs no exercise. "Running increases neurogenesis[1] more than anything else." is not a finding in the article.
Wow, nice observation, it's bizarre that they are all from the same author. I wonder if that's due to domain familiarity, small sample size, or some more nefarious reason (she does have a book published on the subject?). I wonder how common this sort of thing is.
Doesn’t seem that unusual to me — she’s a columnist for the New York Times, and needs subject matter to write about. It only makes sense to have interests that are then reflected in multiple weeks’ columns. You can see her bio at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gretchen-Reynolds/e/B001KHP9G2
People who exercise often have strong biases confirming the efficacy of the type of exercise that they enjoy most.
Weight training, running, Crossfit, yoga, martial arts - I've heard enthusiasts of all of these forms of exercise claim that it's absolute best form of exercise that makes all other unnecessary.
Aside from any journalistic biases, I assume that the author really, really likes running.
Does anyone have a similar study done for other types of cardiovascular exercise? I never run but have a hybrid MTB I got a few months ago and ride a few miles 3-5 days a week, but if its not as effective as jogging i'll start to switch it up a little.
Also, they used a mice model. Even otherwise, assuming the study showed it to be the case in humans as well, that means absolutely nothing. Science simply presents a theory that fits a particular data-set. It doesn't mean its an established fact, or that it applies to your particular biology, or even that the effect is seen in every person.
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/17/which-type-of-exer...
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/07/13/can-running-make-y...
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/well/move/jogging-the-bra...
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/well/move/running-as-the-...
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/well/move/moving-when-you...