The chiropractors at Latrobe Health Centre regularly prescribe walking as an exercise to help people overcome back pain. So with the Latrobe Health Centre River Run coming around quickly, here are some more reasons why its a good idea to participate.
Why walk?
- Simple – no instructors or membership needed.
- Inexpensive – no special equipment involved.
- Achievable – can be done nearly anywhere, anytime.
- Easy – just get up and walk!
Benefits of walking
Walking just 30 minutes a day can help you to maintain and improve your health.
A range of studies have shown that physical inactivity increases the incidence of common health complaints, including heart disease, hypertension, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, gallstone formation and even some types of cancer. Amongst these studies, people who participated in just 30 minutes of moderate activity – such as brisk walking – each day, reduced their levels of risk.
Walking regularly…
…improves balance, coordination and spinal health.
One recent study has shown that walking for 40 minutes 3 times a week can improve connectivity in the brain and even counteract some of the brain decline that occurs as a result of ageing.
…increases aerobic fitness – improves heart and lung function and aids weight-loss.
It’s probably not surprising that a recent study has shown that sedentary, overweight women who actively use a pedometer program to increase activity show improvements in waist circumference as well as health measures such as heart rate, BMI, blood pressure and fasting glucose levels.
…decreases bone loss.
There is evidence to suggest that regular exercise, such as walking, can have a positive long-term impact on an individual’s balance and gait, and may even protect high-risk elderly women from hip fractures.
…improves blood and lymph circulation.
It has been shown that there is a correlation between increased peak fitness, through regular aerobic exercise, and improved blood flow.
_decrease low back pain and other pain syndromes
There is some evidence to suggest that aerobic exercise may help reduce pain and improve overall well being in people with fibromyalgia and exercise as simple as walking may assist with the recovery from an episode of low back pain.
…boosts mood, alertness and energy levels.
Did you know that decline in mental ability and health can be delayed by walking? One study shows that women with “higher levels of baseline activity” are less likely to develop cognitive decline. Other studies have shown that in cognitive testing of elderly persons, better results were achieved by those who were physically active than those who were inactive.
Not surprisingly, individuals who undertake higher physical activity levels during their mid-life years have been found to enjoy an improved health status in later years.