According to a recent study, those who walk more quickly than their counterparts may be less likely to acquire metabolic disorders. When Japanese researchers examined data from around 25,000 participants who were obese, had a large waist circumference, or both, they discovered that people who described themselves as “faster walkers” were far less likely to develop diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Asking participants if their walking pace exceeded their age and sex was one way to measure walking speed. According to the findings, people who walked more quickly had a 30% lower chance of developing diabetes and significant lower risks of hypertension and dyslipidemia.
The findings, according to the researchers, are explained by the connection between walking pace and general health. People who walk more quickly typically have higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness. Promoting a quicker walking pace might be a beneficial individual habit to prevent metabolic disorders, the study’s senior researcher emphasized. The self-reported walking speed metric is perfect for use in clinical and public health settings since it is easy to use and accessible, according to the researchers. The researchers came to the conclusion that asking a straightforward question about subjective walking pace during routine medical exams might provide life-saving information and assist identify those who are at high risk of metabolic illnesses linked to obesity.