The Impact of Walking Pace on Healthy Ageing: Insights from a Maryland Doctor

When it comes to ageing gracefully, the significance of regular movement cannot be overlooked. Walking is an especially effective way to stay active, requiring minimal effort while offering numerous health benefits.

Traditionally, many fitness enthusiasts focus on achieving a daily step count. However, Dr. Kunal Sood, a physician based in Maryland, emphasizes that the speed at which we walk may matter even more than the number of steps taken.

Benefits of Brisk Walking

Dr. Sood notes that recent research suggests healthy ageing isn't merely about reaching a specific step count. A large UK Biobank study involving over 400,000 adults found a significant correlation between brisk walking and biological age, reflected in the length of leukocyte telomeres, which shorten as cells age.

Individuals who consistently walked briskly exhibited notably longer telomeres compared to slow walkers, equating to a biological age difference of up to 16 years.

This study indicates that walking isn't a miraculous solution for reversing ageing; instead, it highlights the long-term effects of consistent movement on cellular ageing.

Dr. Sood explains that even after adjusting for factors such as total physical activity and body weight, walking speed remained significantly associated with telomere length, reinforcing the idea that intensity in walking is crucial.

Key Takeaways

While brisk walking offers additional benefits, Dr. Sood encourages everyone to continue walking at their own pace. Incorporating periods of brisk walking can enhance the ageing-related advantages beyond mere step count.

Ultimately, any form of movement is beneficial. Walking pace serves as an indicator of how well various bodily systems age together, including cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and metabolic function.