Even if you hate exercise and the thought of running or lifting weights sends shivers down your spine, there is a simple way to improve your health: walking.
Scientific studies have consistently linked walking to improved physiological markers, including heart health, mental well-being, cognitive function and increased longevity. Walking thousands of steps daily is an easy path to a healthier and happier life.
Now it looks like there’s a way to make your daily walk even more beneficial.
The footprint?
This method may raise eyebrows and provoke curiosity, especially if you don’t live on a desert island far from civilization. However, if you’re open to a new and intriguing approach to enhancing your hiking experience, read on.
A study published last year in the journal National Library of Medicine explored the unexpected and unique advantages of walking backwards. Yes, you read that correctly – going backwards.
The study aimed to investigate how this unconventional walking style affects knee health and found that it is an excellent way to reduce knee problems, pain and inflammation. But that’s not the only surprising result of choosing to go backwards. Over the years, several studies have explored this distinct walking style, producing results that have left us surprised.
Amazing benefits for the brain and nervous system
Pal Manickam, a gastroenterologist specializing in diseases of the digestive system, shared his insights about walking backwards on his popular Instagram page, which quickly went viral around the world. According to Manickam, walking backwards can uniquely increase the endurance of your leg muscles.
He said walking backwards forces people to take small, frequent steps, which can increase the endurance of leg muscles. Although people normally walk faster forward, walking backwards prevents this. Therefore, adopting this method with small steps can be beneficial for those looking to strengthen their leg muscles and tissues.
Additionally, other experts have noted that walking backwards improves balance and coordination, as it requires greater concentration and attention. These factors have a direct impact on the “cerebellum”, the region of the brain responsible for motor control throughout the body.
Keep moving, regardless of style
Whether you choose to adopt this unconventional walking style or prefer the conventional approach to avoid raising eyebrows and judgmental looks, the key is to ensure you walk at least 150 minutes a week, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). ).
If you decide to incorporate walking backwards into your exercise routine, Manickam suggests it can further improve physical fitness and upper-body strength. This form of walking requires more energy than typical exercise, potentially aiding in calorie burning, weight loss, and long-term weight management.
He said walking backwards also offers postural benefits, allowing people to maintain a more natural spinal position, which is often compromised when we lean forward or sit for long periods. Additionally, it has been shown to improve gait and flexibility, making it particularly beneficial for older individuals who struggle with other forms of physical activity. It serves as a potent “medicine” for the inevitabilities of aging, promoting youthful energy and vitality at any age.
As for the aforementioned cognitive benefits, experts like Manickam believe this unique style of walking, which stimulates the brain in an unconventional way, may have potential advantages. This could include improving nervous system function, enhancing critical thinking skills, and preserving and enhancing memory skills over time.
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