Regular Walking: The Key to a Healthy Lifestyle
Contrary to the belief of many active athletes, regular walking has been proven to be an effective way to maintain health. Leading experts claim that it not only helps to lose weight but also reduces the risk of various conditions such as heart problems and high blood pressure.
According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, increasing life expectancy may be linked to regular brisk walking. In particular, it was found to be associated with a 24% reduction in the risk of «death from all causes.»
The results suggest that to achieve optimal results, it is advisable to increase the pace of walking. Brisk walking is understood to be a pace of no less than 7 km/h. Among the main advantages of such activity, a decrease in the risk of ischemic heart disease is highlighted. According to scientists, it decreases by 19% when walking for 30 minutes five times a week.
According to the latest recommendations from the US Department of Health, physical activity should be given between 150 and 300 minutes per week. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to walk for at least half an hour five times a week. According to Nike’s head coach Ashley Wilking, the key to burning more calories while walking is the distance covered.
This is agreed upon by the American Council on Exercise President Cedric Bryant. He noted that a sports walk should last between 45 minutes and an hour. As the level of physical fitness increases, he advised increasing the intensity of walks by walking up hills.
