The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention defines brisk walking as walking at a pace of 3 miles per hour or more.

• Brisk Walking is one the best exercise to attain glycemic control amongst type-2 diabetics. In a study published in the journal Diabetologia, it was found that brisk walking is an equally effective way to attain glycemic control and modulate cardiovascular risk profile amongst type 2 diabetics when compared individualized medical fitness programmes. 

• Numerous researches have proven that brisk walking is one of the most effective tool towards strengthening the heart muscles, reducing atherosclerosis, cholesterol and subsequent cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and heart attacks. The effects of brisk walking have been found to be even better than running when measured for these parameters.

• The Copenhagen City Heart Study, 2014, found in their research that walking at an increased pace, in other words brisk walking significantly reduces mortality from heart failure amongst healthy individuals. They also noted that the speed of walking was more important rather than duration in determining this reduction in heart failure events.

• Numerous studies have found evidence that brisk walking slows down aging, reduces calcaneal bone loss and helps strengthen the joints especially amongst post-menopausal women.

• Researchers from University of Virginia found that women who did three-shorter fast-paced walks per week lost 5 times more belly fat and 3 times more visceral fat compared to those who just strolled 5 days per week.

• The Age UK cites that elderly who walk six miles per week or more stand lesser chances of developing age-related dementia and brain shrinkage.

• Brisk walking is an extremely effective tool for alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia and improves mental well-being.

“Regular brisk walking is an effective approach to promote functional recovery in chronic stroke survivors…,” wrote the researchers from Institute of Neuroscience, Belgium in their study published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2013.

As with any work-out regimen, always consult a health care expert before you begin your brisk walking regimen in case you have a history of stroke or heart problem.

Written By: Dr. Chhavi