Walking is known to be one of the best exercises to stay fit, but the speed a person walks may help them live longer, according to a study at the Mayo Clinic.
People, from underweight to obese, have a longer life expectancy if they walk more briskly compared to those in the same weight category who don’t. Their findings help clarify the relative importance of physical fitness compared to body weight on life expectancy.
The researchers studied data from the UK Biobank for more than 470,000 people. On average, slow walking underweight men and women lived the shortest life spans, at 64.8 years and 72.4 years, respectively.
A nine-year study from 2013 supports the new findings that a brisk walk can reduce cardiovascular risk and increase life expectancy.
Walking is free and accessible for all. To learn more about healthy habits and how they can increase your overall health, contact SelfCare for HealthCare™. Contact me today to discuss implementing this powerful program at your facility. Interested in LeAnn Thieman’s keynote speaking, training and workshops? Email lthieman@leannthieman.com.
