According to new research out of Northwestern University, just one hour of walking each week can prevent many forms of disability from occurring. That ends up being less than ten minutes of walking per day, something that almost anyone can fit into their schedules without needing to make adjustments.
These researchers found that those with arthritic pain, stiffness, or aching in knees, ankles, hips, or feet were able to delay or prevent the onset of full blown disability by walking. Although it is really easy to think that more is better, that was not the case here. The doctors overseeing this study found that results were visible after only one hour of walking per week.
Mobility disability and the risk of disability apparent in the activities of daily living were both drastically reduced in this population. Mobility disability was reduced by 85 percent and daily living disability was reduced by 45 percent.
Their research was published earlier in April in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Often, we avoid exercising because it is a big time commitment. This new study indicates that time is on our side here. By spending ten minutes walking, health benefits can be observed. Whether you are taking a lunch break at your job, or just clearing out the cobwebs in the morning before you start your day, anyone can work this into their lives without any sort of major change.
It’s also promising for seniors that are trying to stay in shape. Exercise can be daunting because prolonged physical exercise is a scary thought for a lot of people. However, a few minutes of walking is better than nothing, and this research confirms that. A minimum amount of time spent on this will hopefully make exercise more appealing to seniors–and beyond. The upside is that exercise is often a social activity and can give people a renewed sense of purpose. Not only does it improve physical health, but it can help in other areas of life, too. This study did not take any of that into account, but the implications beyond this study are also very promising. Seniors can often face isolation, and this is one of many ways that it can be avoided.
Some people have difficulty moving around or are unable to walk because of a severe disability. This doesn’t mean that they are unable to exercise. While this study focused on walking, there are other exercise out there. Almost anyone can find a form of exercise that they can do that will provide some sort of health benefit to them.
The point of senior care is to help improve the quality of life that someone is experiencing during their senior years. Care and supervision are important, but they are not the only way that a better quality of life can be obtained. Exercise, better diet, companionship, an active religious life, and more are all elements of life that can contribute to living a better life and experiencing better health. A caregiver is just a small piece in the larger puzzle of senior care.
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