About Walking

July 10, 2010

As the Baby Boomers approach the golden years high impact exercises like running have taken a back seat to other lower impact exercise modalities such as cycling and walking. The search for a low impact, effective, and health promoting workout can be found very easily by walking on a daily basis.

Walking is now the most popular form of exercise among North Americans. It is a year-round, readily repeatable, self-reinforcing, habit-forming activity and the main option for increasing physical activity in sedentary populations. Walking is ideal as a gentle start-up for the sedentary bringing a bonus of independence and social well-being.

Walking is a rhythmic, dynamic, aerobic activity of large skeletal muscles that results in numerous benefits and minimal adverse effects. Walking, faster than customary, and regularly in sufficient quantity into the ‘training zone’ of over 70% of maximal heart rate, develops and sustains physical fitness.

Muscles of the legs, pelvis and lower trunk are strengthened and the flexibility of their joints preserved; as a result, posture and carriage may improve. Any amount of walking, and at any pace, expends energy and therefore the potential for long term weight control as a result of walking is present.

Walking is also the most common weight-bearing activity, and there are indications at all ages of an increase in related bone strength. Walking is beneficial through engendering improved fitness and/or greater physiological activity and energy turnover.

There is, nevertheless, growing evidence of the many benefits of walking. The prevention of heart attack and reduction of total death rates, in the treatment of hypertension, intermittent claudications and musculoskeletal disorders, and in rehabilitation after heart attack and in chronic respiratory disease.

Posted in Ask The Experts, Body Health, Tips to Motivate, Walking Articles