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eLearning Series:
I'm an Active Senior
Who Wants To Stay Healthy
( 50 aticles in this series )
Walking
For Seniors: Every Step Counts
Walking
has easily become the most popular form of exercise. It is also the only form of exercise for
which the rate of participation does not decline as one ages.
In fact, in a recent national survey, the highest percentage
of regular walkers as a group was that of men 65 years of age
and older. Because walking is the lowest-impact form of exercise
we can perform, it is now considered the slowest as well as
surest method for obtaining physical fitness.
Because walking was once considered too easy to be thought
of as actual exercise, many did not see the action as having
the additional impact of improving physical fitness. However
a study now clearly shows that walking, especially
if done briskly and regularly, is an excellent form of exercise. Consider
some of the following data regarding walking as an activity
for the purposes of creating physical fitness.
First walking burns approximately the same
amount of calories per mile as does running. Though seen at first as impossible,
people have begun to understand that the key is that it simply
takes longer to cover the mile while walking than it does while
jogging. Walking, however, is of course much less stressful
on the body, particularly in regards to the pummeling effects
on a person’s feet, ankles, and knees when involved in long
distance jogging. Recent research indicates that a brisk walking
pace of 4 miles per hour, the equivalent of one mile every
15 minutes will burn the same number of calories as jogging
at a pace that covers the same distance in 8 1/2 minutes.
Although increasing walking speed will not burn significantly
more calories per mile, a vigorous walking pace will actually
produce more dramatic conditioning effects on a person. The
key point here is the person’s initial fitness level. A person
in poor shape will receive significant benefit from a slow
speed of walking. However, someone in better shape will either
need to walk faster or farther to improve their current conditioning
level. A positive impact of increased pace or longer walking
distances is the residual benefit of that exercise. Because
such a work out pace increases a person’s metabolism rate,
their rate will remain elevated after the work out is complete
resulting in the burning of additional calories.
Among the most attractive aspects of walking is that almost
everyone can do it. Nobody needs to take lessons to learn how
to walk. In addition, all you need to do to become a more serious
walker is walk faster, increase your distance and walk more
often. Walking can be done almost anywhere and the variety
of options available is one of the things that make walking
such a practical activity. You can consider the mall, the neighborhood
or easy hiking trails, with the weather dictating a choice
on a given day. Most importantly, walking doesn't cost anything
- there are no club fees, no equipment to buy, and no lessons
to be taken. Your only required equipment is a comfortable
pair of shoes and clothing to match, items that of course can
be worn at other times.
Because of its low impact nature, walking is now considered
more effective than running and other more highly-touted activities
when it comes to weight loss. The reason is because walking
is virtually devoid of injury potential and because it has
the lowest dropout rate of any form of exercise.
If you need some statistics to help you understand why walking
is good for you, try the following. Just thirty minutes of
walking a day reduces Cardiovascular Heart Disease by 30 to
50%. In addition, the more active you are now, the less likely
you are to die in the next 11 years. So if you want the surest
form of health improvement with the least likely form of injury
or setback potential, then consider walking as your form of
exercise. Since walking for exercise can be done to get you
from one location to another, can be done alone or with a partner
for the purposes of socialization and can be done at any pace
for any distance, its easily the most attractive form of exercise
for everyone. The person just starting a new exercise routine
as well as the veteran participant that has already developed
a fundamental level of fitness will enjoy walking as a form
of exercise. Click here to discover my current SolveYourProblem recommendation and choice pick for the fastest, easiest and best exercise / fitness solution you'll find anywhere. Get it and reward yourself with more more energy and a healthier life.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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