Benefits of brisk walks highlighted

Brisk walking reduces the risk of heart disease more effectively than running when the energy expenditure of both activities is balanced out, a study has found. Researchers compared data from two studies of 33,060 runners and 15,045 walkers, the US research which was widely highlighted here Friday said. For the same amount of energy used, walkers experienced greater health benefits than runners. The effects on participants, who were aged 18 to 80, were observed over a period of six years. Running reduced the risk of heart disease by 4.5% while walking reduced it by 9.3%. Walking also had a stronger impact on heart disease risk factors. The risk of first-time high blood pressure was reduced by 4.2% by running and 7.2% by walking. First-time high cholesterol risk was lowered by 4.3% by running and 7% by walking. The risk of first-time diabetes was reduced by about 12% by both walking and running. "Walking and running provide an ideal test of the health benefits of moderate-intensity walking and vigorous-intensity running because they involve the same muscle groups and the same activities performed at different intensities," said study leader Dr Paul Williams, from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, US. "The more the runners ran and the walkers walked, the better off they were in health benefits. "If the amount of energy expended was the same between the two groups, then the health benefits were comparable. "People are always looking for an excuse not to exercise, but now they have a straightforward choice to run or to walk and invest in their future health." The research is reported in the American Heart Association journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. Meanwhile, Doireann Maddock, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "These scientists have shown us that any brisk physical activity, not just those long, exhausting runs, can be great news for your heart health. "We know the best type of activity for your heart is moderate intensity aerobic activity and that includes walking, as long as you feel warmer, breathe harder and your heart beats faster than usual. "Whether it's walking, jogging or running, staying active will help control your weight, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and improve your mental health".