Walking Faster, Died Slower?
Walking speeds can provide clues to the risk of death.
A study published in The British Journal of Sports Medicini found that those who like fast walking or walking at an average speed have a lower risk of premature death (20 percent lower) than those who are slow in walking.
In addition, those with an average or fast road speed also have a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
"The key message is a quick walk is a good thing to make us healthier," said study researcher Emmanuel Stamatakis, professor of physical activity, lifestyle and population health at the University of Sydney School of Medicine in Australia, told TIME.
The study researchers used data from two health surveys, Health Survey for England and The Scottish Health Survey.
They analyzed more than 50,000 British and Scottish adult data, who reported their walking habits at varying speeds. Coupled with other health measurement analyzes.
They noted participants who had been applying the average road speed for nine years. Of the 3,617 people, 1,000 died of cardiovascular disease.
This study certainly can not definitively say that those who like fast roads have better health. However, healthy people tend to run faster than people who are sick.
In other words, stepping speed can strengthen the heart better than walking slowly.
Stamatakis confess, running speed is not an easy thing to change. We need more effort to increase the speed of our paths to benefit.
"Against individuals who exercise very little, very few roads (under three or four thousand steps per day) and / or are not physically fit, raise the pace in a few minutes until they are out of breath a good start to build fitness," Stamatakis.
He added that the relationship of walking speed and risk of death is more devoted to adults who have a risk of cardiovascular disease and death from the disease, rather than young people.
The study used a personal walking speed record that could be misclassified because it has not been verified and is dependent on personal references.
Researchers also studied the effects of changes in walking speed. Although, the study delivered clear results about the relationship of walking speed and health.
Ultimately, Stamatakis concludes that walking, no matter how fast or slow, is a healthy habit and should be done routinely.
"Running speed is important, but first and foremost, we need to emphasize the importance of walking, with speed and intensity like anything," Stamatakis said.