Do Faster Walkers Live Longer Than Slower Walkers? UK Study Reveals Surprising Truth!

Do Faster Walkers Live Longer Than Slower Walkers? UK Study Reveals Surprising Truth!Mr. Wang and Mr

Do Faster Walkers Live Longer Than Slower Walkers? UK Study Reveals Surprising Truth!

Mr. Wang and Mr. Li are old neighbors who have known each other for many years and share a close bond. After retirement, they often go fishing and walking together, enjoying a leisurely life. However, they have always disagreed on their walking pace. Mr. Wang believes walking should be faster for better results, while Mr. Li insists on walking slowly, especially at their age, as slow walking is beneficial for their health and can prolong their lifespan. Which view is correct? Does walking fast or slow really affect lifespan?

To answer this question, we must first understand the benefits of walking.

I. Benefits of Walking: Enhancing Overall Health

We have always been encouraged to exercise regularly, and moderate exercise can strengthen our physique and improve our physical functions. Walking, as a simple and accessible exercise, offers a wide range of benefits to the body:

1. Enhanced Cardiopulmonary Function: Walking is a light aerobic exercise that effectively trains the cardiopulmonary system. Studies have shown that brisk walking for 20 minutes can increase heart rate by 70%. Long-term walking can effectively reduce the risk of heart disease.

2. Improved Blood Circulation: Walking promotes vascular dilation, enhances vascular elasticity, and improves blood circulation. For individuals with poor blood circulation, walking can effectively alleviate symptoms such as cold hands and feet, improve their quality of life.

3. Enhanced Immunity: Walking promotes blood circulation, strengthens immunity. For individuals with low resistance, regular walking can effectively reduce the occurrence of colds and other illnesses, and relieve fatigue.

4. Osteoporosis Prevention: Walking exercises leg joints, enhances flexibility, and promotes calcium absorption through sunlight exposure, effectively preventing osteoporosis.

5. Weight Management: Walking accelerates metabolism, consumes energy, and effectively manages weight. For individuals with slow metabolism and dislike exercise, walking is an ideal choice for weight management.

Overall, the benefits of walking are comprehensive. It can improve cardiopulmonary function, improve blood circulation, boost immunity, prevent osteoporosis, and manage weight, bringing us a healthy physique.

II. Walking Fast or Slow, Who Lives Longer?

Regarding the impact of fast walking and slow walking on lifespan, a study published in the journal "Nature" by a UK university has attracted widespread attention. Researchers used the genetic data of over 400,000 people from the UK Biobank as a sample, with an average age of 56.5. Participants wore wristbands to record their walking data. The study found that those who walked at a moderate or fast pace had significantly longer telomere length compared to those who walked slowly.

Telomeres are special structures located at the ends of chromosomes that protect chromosomes from damage and are closely related to human lifespan. The longer the telomere length, the longer the lifespan. The study results showed that fast walkers were physiologically 16 years younger than slow walkers by middle age.

This study result highlights the impact of walking speed on lifespan. While not all study results are consistent, the large sample size and scientific analysis methods allow us to use this study as a reference, suggesting that fast walking may be more beneficial for extending lifespan than slow walking.

III. The Connection Between Walking Speed and Lifespan: Scientific Explanation

The reason why fast walkers may live longer is mainly because fast walking can bring stronger exercise effects:

1. Higher Energy Consumption: Fast walkers consume more energy in the same amount of time, leading to better cardiopulmonary training effects.

2. More Efficient Cardiopulmonary Function: Fast walking increases heart rate, promotes blood circulation, strengthens cardiopulmonary functions, effectively preventing cardiovascular diseases.

3. Better Metabolic Level: Fast walking accelerates metabolism, promotes fat burning, effectively manages weight, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

4. Stronger Antioxidant Effects: Fast walking promotes the production of antioxidants in the body, enhances the body's antioxidant capacity, and effectively delays aging.

IV. Walking Speed Varies by Individual: Rational Perspective on Study Results

While the study shows that fast walking may be more beneficial for health, not everyone is suitable for fast walking. Walking speed should be adjusted based on individual physical conditions, and choosing a suitable speed is paramount.

1. Pay Attention to Physical Condition: If you have underlying health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal diseases, etc., it is recommended to choose slow walking to avoid risks associated with excessive exercise.

2. Gradual Progression, Gradually Increasing Speed: For those who seldom exercise, do not pursue fast walking from the start. Instead, gradually increase walking speed over time.

3. Enjoy Exercise, Find Joy in It: The purpose of exercise is for health and to enjoy the fun it brings. Do not sacrifice your feelings to pursue speed, choose a suitable speed, and enjoy the happiness that exercise brings.

V. Walking Considerations: Safety, Health, and Comfort

While walking is simple and accessible, it is important to pay attention to some aspects to ensure a safe, healthy, and comfortable exercise experience.

1. Warm-up: Before walking, it is recommended to perform simple warm-up exercises such as stretching and marching in place to help the body enter a state of exercise and reduce the risk of exercise injuries.

2. Choose the Right Time: Avoid intense exercise immediately after meals. It is recommended to rest for half an hour to an hour after meals before engaging in moderate exercise.

3. Correct Posture: While walking, maintain an upright posture, straighten your back, avoid slouching, which is beneficial for maintaining a good posture and promoting blood circulation.

4. Wear Heart Rate Monitoring Devices: It is recommended that middle-aged and older adults wear heart rate monitoring devices during exercise to understand their heart rate situation in a timely manner and avoid excessive exercise that could cause injury.

5. Appropriate Exercise Intensity: Choose the duration and speed of walking based on individual physical conditions. Do not excessively pursue speed and exercise intensity to avoid exercise injuries.

6. Choose Comfortable Exercise Gear: Choose comfortable shoes and loose, breathable clothes to ensure comfort during the walking process and reduce discomfort caused by exercise.

7. Protect Yourself from the Sun: When exercising outdoors in the summer, be sure to protect yourself from the sun to prevent skin damage from sun exposure.

Conclusion:

Walking offers numerous health benefits, and walking speed may have an impact on lifespan. UK studies have shown that fast walking may be more beneficial for extending lifespan than slow walking, but not everyone is suitable for fast walking. Adjust your walking speed based on your physical condition and choose a suitable speed for you. Pay attention to safety, health, and comfort when exercising, choose the right exercise time and intensity, warm up and protect yourself from the sun to enjoy the happiness and health that exercise brings.

References:

• Medical Original Story Meeting: "Fast Walkers and Slow Walkers, Who Lives Longer? UK Study: A 16-Year Lifespan Difference"

• Truth and Misconceptions of Tumors: "Fast Walkers and Slow Walkers, Who Lives Longer? UK Study: A 15-Year Lifespan Difference"

• The Answer is Here: "Fast Walkers or Slow Walkers? UK Study: A 15-Year Lifespan Difference"

Note: The above article is for reference only. For specific questions, please consult a professional physician.

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