Did you know power walking can add years to your life?
Here’s a little secret—power walking can add years to your life! Power walking is a type of exercise that places an emphasis on speed and arm motion. When done properly, frequent power walking is beneficial for the heart, joints, and emotional well-being.
According to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the daily walk we take to get from point A to point B is a terrific method to increase our lifespan. In a study of more than 5,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 85, 10 to 30 minutes of exercise per day reduced the risk of death by 7 to 17 percent.
“The potential public health benefit of changing daily physical activity by a manageable amount is not yet known,” the study states. “In this study, we used accelerometer measurements to examine the association of physical activity and mortality in a population-based sample of U.S. adults. These findings support implementing evidence-based strategies to improve physical activity for adults and potentially reduce deaths.”
Based on their research, the team concluded that adults who engaged in 10 minutes of physical activity each day would experience 111,174 fewer preventable deaths annually. There would be 209,459 and 367,037 fewer avoidable deaths with 20 and 30 minutes of exercise, respectively. Thus, power walking can add years to your life!
“Previous studies suggest a substantial number of deaths could be prevented annually by increasing population levels of physical activity,” said the researchers. “However, previous estimates have relied on convenience samples, used self-reported physical activity data and assumed relatively large increases inactivity levels—for example, more than 30 minutes per day.”
Doctors advise 150 minutes of exercise per week, or 75 minutes of strenuous or moderate aerobic activity. Some studies have found that power walking can reduce risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The National Cancer Institute also recommends power walking to lower risk for several cancers. Who knew power walking can add years to your life and become this beneficial!