Over a fifth of people in the UK never walk for exercise or leisure!
This is according to new research commissioned by The Living Streets, the everyday walking charity in the UK.
While 68% of people in the UK say they walk at least 20 mins each day for exercise or leisure, the suggestion that 22% never walk is concerning, considering the importance of being physically active, the fact that walking is free and that doing so regularly can bring so many health benefits. Being less sedentary and taking regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and even some cancers.
And in more walking news, the University of Leicester has just published research that the speed we walk at is a strong marker of health – being a sign of cardiovascular health as well as a sign of the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that the more intensive walking and regularly adopting a brisk walking pace (around 3 miles an hour) could add years to our lives.
So, now that the evenings are brighter and the weather is improving, challenge yourself to get out for a 20 minute walk every day in May - National Walking Month! If you are not yet ready to walk at a brisk pace, start walking regularly and build up your stamina. Consider downloading the free NHS Active 10 app (available from Apple and Android app stores) which will get you walking in 10-minute bouts and will report data back to you about your pace of walking.
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