Health Benefits of Walking

Several scientific researchers and doctors have shown health benefits of walking. They have shown that walking is good for your heart, lungs, muscle and bone growth and it’s good for your feeling of wellbeing. Strong scientific evidence now supports the many benefits to health of regular walking.

Osteoporosis
Treadmill walking exercise can prevent osteoporosis, simple treadmill walking does wonders for maintaining bone mass because it is weight bearing and provides the additional benefit of impact at foot plant. Our bones need exercise to stay strong, no matter your age, exercise can help you minimize bone loss and providing other health benefits such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity and many other diseases. Scientific researchers and doctors believe that regular exercise such as treadmill walking for three to four times a week is effective for the prevention and management of osteoporosis.

Psychological well-Being
Exercise has both physiological and psychological benefits. People who regularly exercise such as walking have reported increased self confidence, especially when performing physical tasks. Medical researchers and scientist have shown, people who regularly exercise have the fallowing psychological benefits:-

  • An enhanced self-teem and sense of well-being
  • Better sleep habits
  •  Less depression, stress, and anxiety
  • An improved outlook on life
Diabetes
Exercising such as treadmill walking, out door walking, aerobic and other types of exercise, does prevent risk of developing type two diabetes. Studies have shown people who are physically active, have less chance developing diabetes type 2, than people who have not physically active. Regular exercise enhances the body’s ability to use insulin, Insulin is a hormone that regulates the use of blood sugar, and thereby maintains normal blood sugar levels.

Heart Disease
Regular exercise with healthy diet can prevent risk of developing coronary heart disease. Regular exercise can have positive influence on many of the factors that increase the risk for heart disease such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.  

Scientific Studies and Health Benefits of Walking
Study conduct by the researchers at the University of Illinois for six month duration, observed 124 volunteers aged 60-75 were allocated for different exercises half were given an aerobic program which consist of stretching and weight lifting, and the other half were given a walking program. The walkers were able to complete an hour long loop around the university campus, three times a week (the walkers participants were not exercisers before joining the program).

The outcome of the study was quite intriguing. It turned out that walking provided not only a good workout for the body, but also for the brain. Both memory and judgment were sharpened in the walking group. Brain functions known as “executive control processes” which are located in the brain’s frontal and prefrontal lobes has the ability to plan one's behaviour to achieve a goal were enhanced in walkers group.

Scientific study presented at the American Heart Association’s 2006 annual conference, showed that moderate walking can make old blood vessels act like younger ones. According to biological changes in our body, when we are young our blood vessels easily dilate and constrict as needed, but as we age our blood vessels become less compliant. Dysfuntion in the ability to dilate and constrict contributes to atherosclerosis and the risk of heat disease. The study consist of 14 older men and 14 younger men. At the start of the study scientific researchers measured how easily the men’s forearm blood vessels dilated and constricted after being injected with various chemicals.

The researchers then assigned 8 of the 14 older men to a three-month exercise program that consited of walking 55 minutes a day on five days per week. After three months when these older men were challenged with the chemical injections, their blood vessels responded like those of the younger men.

Read other articles related to walking exercise: -

Treadmill Walking Treadmill Walking Workout Treadmill Walking Plan Treadmill Walking Program


footer for health benefits of walking page