Walking is one of the simplest yet most effective types of exercise. Whatever their level of physical ability, it’s great at allowing your loved ones to stay active at their own pace. It has a low risk of injury, is easy on joints, and is easy to get started and to stick with. A regular brisk walk meets all four areas of fitness that the National Institute on Aging recommends for older adults– endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Not only does walking maintains one physical activeness, but it also encourages one to go outside and have opportunities to connect with others. Here are some other benefits of brisk walking and why it is the perfect exercise for your loved ones.
As Effective as Running
A common myth about exercising is that high-intensity exercises are much more physically beneficial than lower intensive ones. However, a study conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has found evidence to disprove this idea. It declares that walking and running cause the body to use up similar amounts of calories and were as equally effective at improving the state of one’s cardiovascular health.
Easy to Start And Stick With
When starting a new routine, especially something as daunting as exercising, it might be easy to give up on quickly. On the contrary, a moderate exercise like brisk walking is easier to continue for a longer period of time due to its simplicity. Researchers at Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine have discovered through a long-term study that participants that were asked to walk for 30 minutes a day three times a week still continued the routine eight years later. Your loved ones can get started on brisk walking and not have to worry about committing to it as it is effortless to stick with.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Many studies have reported that having a walking routine can lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and improve overall cardiovascular health. Examples include research from the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Tennessee that for older women, walking just a couple of miles per day helped reduce their risk of stroke and lowered their blood pressure.
Strengthens Joints, Bones, and Muscles
Walking is a full-body workout while still being low impact and safe to do. Walking regularly can lubricate the joints as it keeps them well used which is required for them to function properly. The movements from walking can also strengthen the bones and other supportive muscles. Walking helps to reduce the loss of bone mass that is a result of osteoporosis, maintains the body’s muscle mass, and prevents joint pains.
Slows Down Cognitive Decline
Besides all the physical benefits of brisk walking, it can also aid your loved one in being mentally active. A study from the University of California San Francisco has found that women over the age of 65 who regularly walked experienced less age-related cognitive decline than their less active counterparts. Walking more was positively correlated with a lower risk for developing cognitive conditions. Similarly, research by the University of Virginia has found that older men who walked a quarter of a mile or more a day were half as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or dementia than men who didn’t walk as much.
Why Choose Veranda Club?
We offer a wide range of amenities and services that easily makes our senior living community the top choice for older individuals. At Veranda Club, our warm and dedicated team will ensure a high standard of living for you, whether you prefer independent living or assisted living.
To learn more about the exclusive senior living programs in Veranda Club, contact us today.
