If you can build a healthy habit this summer, we highly recommend walking. The evidence on the positives of walking is very well established. With a new study finding that it is associated with slower cognitive decline, we think it’s a great time to remind ourselves of the benefits of walking. In this article we look at how to make the most of walking this summer in New Zealand.
In a new paper published in Nature Medicine, researchers found that physical activity was associated with slower rates of cognitive decline. Researchers analysed data from participants aged 50-90 years old in the Havard Aging Brain Study who were cognitively unimpaired at the beginning of the study.
They found that cognitive decline was delayed by on average, three years. The research team found that inactive older adults took around 7 years to show signs of cognitive decline, while the low to moderately active group took around 10 to 14 years to show signs of decline.
Low activity was defined as 3,001 to 5,000 steps a day, moderate activity was defined as 5,001 to 7,500 steps a day.
The simple answer to this question is any amount of consistent walking is great, from just a short brisk walk each day to the famous 10,000 steps a day. Your daily walking target should be whatever is sustainable for you to do consistently at the time.
We can see from research that a general goal should be 30 minutes of activity a day or around 4,000 steps, which can be achieved through planned walks or by adding walking into your daily routine.
Walking in the summer is fantastic – but with our strong sun and hot weather it is always best to take precautions.
Walking is safe for most people; however, you should take extra care if you:
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