Walking may not provide significant health benefits

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Walking may not provide significant health benefits

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=20269

Walking is a popular form of exercise, but may not be enough to

experience significant health benefits, a University of Alberta study

shows.

" Generally, low-intensity activity such as walking alone is not

likely going to give anybody marked health benefits compared to

programs that occasionally elevate the intensity, " said Dr. Vicki

Harber, lead author on the Health First study, which was presented

recently at the American College of Sports Medicine annual conference.

Dr. Harber and her colleagues, Dr. Rodgers, Dr. Gordon Bell and

Dr. Kerry Courneya of the Faculty of Physical Education and

Recreation at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, were

concerned that while people with health issues are encouraged to

increase their volume of activity such as walking, there didn't seem

to be much focus on the effort that needed to go into the activity.

The University of Alberta study put the popularized pedometer-

friendly 10,000-step exercise program to the test against a

traditional fitness program which incorporated cardio-based

activities on equipment such as treadmills and stationary bicycles.

The traditional group was asked to complete exercise at a moderate

intensity, a level allowing for one or two sentences of conversation

with ease. Intensity was not set for the walking group; they

completed their daily exercise at a self-selected pace.

" When we matched the two programs for energy expenditure, we found

that the traditional fitness program improved aerobic fitness and

reduced systolic blood pressure, more than the 10,000-step lifestyle

program, " Dr. Harber said. Of the 128 sedentary men and women who

completed the six-month research program, those who took part in a

more active traditional fitness regimen increased their peak oxygen

uptake, an indicator of aerobic fitness, by 10 per cent. Those who

took part in the walking program experienced a four per cent

increase. Systolic blood pressure also dropped by 10 per cent for the

traditional fitness group, compared to four per cent for the group

who just walked.

Other markers of overall health, such as fasting plasma glucose

levels, response to a two-hour glucose tolerance test and various

blood lipids were unaffected by either exercise program.

" Our concern is that people might think what matters most is the

total number of daily steps accumulated, and not pay much attention

to the pace or effort invested in taking those steps, " Dr. Harber

said. " The 10,000-step or pedometer-based walking programs are great

for people--they are motivating, and provide an excellent starting

point for beginning an activity program, but to increase the

effectiveness, one must add some intensity or " huff and puff " to

their exercise. Across your day, while you are achieving those 10,000

steps, take 200 to 400 of them at a brisker pace. "

" You've got to do more than light exercise and move towards the

inclusion of regular moderate activity, and don't be shy to interject

an occasional period of time at the vigorous level. "