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A new European study following 334,000 men and women found that those who exercised for the equivalent of 20 minutes of brisk walking a day were about 20% less likely to die during the next 12 years compared to people who didn’t briskly walk or do other moderate exercise.
In a US study, researchers found that being physically active a minimum of two hours per day: ie not sitting or doing household chores or gardening and then did one more hour of walking cut their risk of dying by about 10% over the next 7 years.
Build a Healthier Brain
Older adults who walk 1.5 to 3 km per day versus less that half a km have about a whopping 35% lower rate of developing dementias including Alzheimer’s. Most of the people in this study were not walking fast, in fact just under 5 km/hr. If we had a drug that would do that it would be in huge demand.
Lower Your Risk of Cancer
Consistant evidence shows that physical activity can reduce the risk of breast and colorectal cancers. A study of 74,000 US women aged 50-79 found that those who exercised the equivalent of 75-150 minutes a week of brisk walking had an 18% lower risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer over five years than those who were inactive. Exercise can help people stay lean and that cuts the risk of cancer of the colon, esophagus, kidney, uterus, pancreas and in post menopausal women, breast cancer.
What About the Heart?
A large study tracking over 72,000 US nurses aged 40-65 for eight years found that walking briskly for only 3 or more hours per week were 35% less likely to suffer a heart attack or die from one compared to those who walked irregularly. In fact if you can only manage a half hour walk at lunch time and then walk half an hour in the evening you will have the similar benefit to walking for a solid hour. Even breaking it down to three 20 minute sessions works! So dust off the sneakers!
Aug 19, 2015 at 7:15 AM
wow that was so interesting going to increase my walking thanks for the info
Aug 19, 2015 at 7:17 AM
wow that was so interesting thanks for the info I am going to walk more now