Getting old is a fact of life.
As we age, however, we face a higher risk of chronic health problems–such as depression, heart disease, and even obesity.
New research from the University of East Anglia reveals a new way to keep these diseases at bay, however.
According to the findings, now reported in the newest issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, walking outside in groups helped people lower their resting heart rate, blood pressure and total cholesterol–which, together, reduced the risk of many chronic diseases.
Researchers even report it lowered their body fat, keeping their risk of obesity low.
“Our research shows that joining a walking group is one of the best and easiest ways to boost overall health,” says Sarah Hanson, a researcher from the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School. “The benefits are wide ranging–and they go above and beyond making people more physically active. What’s more, people find it relatively easy to stick with this type of exercise regime.”
For the study, Hanson performed a meta-analysis, analyzing 42 clinical trials which specifically examined people who walked in groups and its effects on certain health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. The results returned a surprising yet common result: People who walked in groups had lower blood pressure, cholesterol, resting heart rate, and body fat. Walking in general also boosted lung power and physical function, which in turn lowered their risk of depression, something that increases as a person ages.
Furthermore, walking in groups helped prevent common outdoor injuries–such as calf strains, falling on wet ground, and overuse injuries.
But why is group walking this effective? Researchers aren’t sure, but they believe the physical effects of walking combined with the social aspect of being in a group are great motivators for older adults.
“One way to promote and sustain walking is through the provision of outdoor health walk groups, schemes which typically organise [sic] short walks of under an hour in the natural environment,” says Hanson. “For example the ‘Walking for Health’ scheme, run by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support, is England’s largest network outdoor group walks, with 70,000 regular walkers, 10,000 volunteer walk leaders and approximately 3,000 short walks offered every week around the country.”
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for all health conditions. The research also checked if group walks helped people manage symptoms related to type 2 diabetes, such as fasting blood glucose–but there didn’t appear to be a significant benefit.
That still doesn’t discount its cardiovascular benefits, however, say researchers.
“We’re delighted to see further evidence to support what we see on the ground–that walking with others adds to the many health and well-being benefits regular walkers see,” says Jackie Hayhoe, a program manager for Walking For Health.
What You Should Do
Want to improve your cardiovascular health, fight depression, and even slim down? Then make the easy choice: Go walk with a group. Doing so isn’t just good for your physical health, reveal researchers: Its effects on mental health are just as effective.
Readers: Have you ever joined a walking group before?
Source:
Group Walking Cuts Risk of Life-Threatening Conditions – ScienceDaily.com
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