Is walking speed really related to life expectancy?One study showed that pedestrians at a faster pace live up to 20 years longer than pedestrians at a slower speed.Some experts recommend practicing the power of the foot in two directions so you can walk quickly even when you age.
The University of Pittsburgh published a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2011, analyzing the relationship between walking speed and the longevity of the elderly.There are a total of 34,485 people participating in the research, all of which are old people over 65 years old, 59.6% of them are women.First, the researchers arranged for participants to walk a distance of about 4 meters at a normal speed.Then proceed to check regularly.
The tracking time of the study ranges from 6 to 21 years and the results show that the greater the average life expectancy of the elderly, the faster their speed.Among participants with an average life expectancy of 95 years of age, walking speed is 1.6 meters/second;People with an average life expectancy of about 80 years old, walking speed is 0.8 meters/second;About 74 years old, walking speed is 0.8 meters per second.On average, the longest life of the person who lives is the longest and the shortest person can differ more than 20 years.
Why are people walking faster longer?
The research team explained that the steps of walking in front of the foot seemed simple but in fact it requires the coordination and cooperation of different body systems such as the heart, lungs, blood, bone, bone,muscle, joints, nerves and brain.Therefore, the speed can reflect physical condition to a certain extent;When a person's speed becomes slowed down, it can manifest abnormalities in some physiological systems.As the speed increases, the life expectancy of each gender and age will decrease.
Harvard University has also conducted a relevant research and found that faster pedestrians are at risk of cerebral, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
In addition, Dr. Katsuya Kumichi, Japanese foot expert, once pointed out to the local media "Women's own" that walking itself can stimulate brain function.Therefore, people need to observe around and prevent the dangers when walking, taking a step, they will feel in the soles of the feet.The brain will then control the muscles and adjust the walking posture based on the changes of the ground.Therefore, the faster the person who goes, the more messages are transmitted between the brain and the body.At the same time, walking also helps to promote cognitive function, increase blood flow to the brain, thereby preventing brain degeneration.
However, as the age increases, the walking speed of people is at risk of decreasing.In this regard, Katsuya also suggested that if you want to continue walking quickly after age 65, you can start from the next two directions.
Power: Train the power of the foot
Katsuya also pointed out that people over the age of 65 may focus on strengthening calf muscles and suggesting that walking along the rhythm of the song can help train the power when walking.
Softness: Practice the flexibility of the veins
In addition to the strength of the foot, flexibility is also very important.Katsuya recommends exercising with the wall.The steps are as follows:
- Stand around the wall, spread your arms and touch the wall.
- With the toes facing forward, take a step back with one leg.
- Use body weight to push forward into the wall and bend your knees first.
- After you feel the Achilles tendon of the hind foot is stretched, maintain the movement for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Just do 5 times with both legs.
Source and photo: Skyrost