Walking is a physical activity that has the same health benefits as exercise. If you don't have time to exercise, taking regular morning walks can provide the same benefits. However, there are many misconceptions about walking for exercise. What are the facts? Check out the following review.
Myths and facts about walking as exercise
Walking is the most popular and easiest physical activity to perform. It does not require expensive sports equipment, and it can be done at any time. You can also adjust the intensity of your walking according to your ability and body condition.
People of all ages frequently walk, and walking has gained popularity as a sport among the general public. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about walking. Here are some myths and facts about walking.
You must walk 10,000 steps per day
Many people assume that to get the optimal benefits from walking, you must walk 10,000 steps per day. But according to experts, no research has revealed what the minimum number of daily steps is that can provide the most health benefits.
Experts say that even minimal physical activity is still better than no physical activity at all. If you want to make walking an exercise, start with 3,000 steps per day and gradually increase the intensity according to your ability. According to experts, walking less than 10,000 steps per day can provide the same health benefits as walking up to 10,000 steps per day.
Running is better than walking
Walking exercise is frequently underestimated because it is thought to have fewer benefits than running. But experts say this assumption is incorrect. Walking is a low-impact exercise that increases endorphin release, improves blood flow to the brain, and promotes bone health without putting additional strain on the joints.
Walking is more accessible than running and poses a lower risk of injury. Walking is a safer option than running for people who are overweight or have knee problems.
According to experts, both running and walking have positive health benefits. If you want to get fit and increase your oxygen capacity, running may be a better choice than walking. However, this does not mean that walking is without benefits. Routine walking can lower your risk of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes while also improving your sleep.
Walking at a faster rate burns more calories
If you want to make walking an exercise for weight loss, increase the intensity by walking longer or faster. You can burn more calories while walking by alternating between high-, medium-, and low-intensity movements.
The benefits of walking are only felt when done continuously
The HHS Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults walk or engage in 30 minutes of physical activity per day. However, many people interpret this as walking for 30 minutes straight. In fact, you can divide the 30 minutes into smaller segments, such as walking for 5–10 minutes several times throughout the day, and reap the same benefits.
Walking is a physical activity that is suitable for all ages. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
Canning, K. (2023). 3 Walking Workouts, According to Experts. Available from: https://www.health.com/fitness/walking-workouts-fitness-expertshttps://www.health.com/fitness/walking-workouts-fitness-experts
Mayo Clinic. Can I lose weight if my only exercise is walking?. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/walking/faq-20058345#
Payne, J. (2024). Walking Workouts: 9 Myths and Facts to Know. Available from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/walking-workouts-myths-and-facts-to-know/
Mayo Clinic. Can I lose weight if my only exercise is walking?. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/walking/faq-20058345#