The FitBit craze has officially swept the nation. Thanks to these “smart” pedometers, more and more Americans are using this technology to “get in their steps,” and walk more than ever before.
Walking has unquestionable health benefits. However, researchers have been questioning how the speed of the walking can affect a person’s health.
A team of researchers in Sidney began delving into a walking study, hoping to find some answers. Their findings are now in a special issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
The team began analyzing data from 50,225 walkers all across the U.K. The researchers began assessing each walker’s walking pace, ranging from “slow,” to “average,” to “brisk (5-7 km/hr).”
According to the researchers, “fast” or “brisk” walking entails being slightly out of breath or sweaty while moving.
The researchers then began linking this data with mortality records, adjusting for possible influencing factors (i.e: BMI, age, sex, general physical activity habits).
An astonishing discovery came out of this research. As Medical News Today reports:
Prof. Stamatakis and team’s analysis revealed that, while an “average” walking pace was linked with a 20 percent lower risk of mortality from all causes, walking at a “fast” pace was tied to a 24 percent lower risk.
According to the research, sex and BMI did not have a significant influence on the outcomes. However, walking at either an “average” or “brisk” pace led to an overall reduction of the risk of all-cause mortality, as well as of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers also made the acknowledgment that pace does not seem to influence the risk of cancer mortality.
