2024-07-30 09:45:09
Pandemic of passivity
Women 5 percent less active than men. From the age of 60, physical inactivity increases. 81 percent Adolescents aged 11-17 are physically inactive, and girls are less active than boys.
What are these lemmas? According to the WHO, physical activity contributes to the prevention of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, improves brain activity.
They forget the benefits of walking
Many people think that physical activity is lifting weights in the gym or being active in another sport, but this is not the case. Even walking is physical activity. Of course, we are not talking about a very slow walk to enjoy the scenery, but one where you cover at least 4 km per hour.
A six-year study found that walking at a higher intensity had similar benefits to running at a moderate intensity in reducing the risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.
Doctors of several Lithuanian polyclinics are already prescribing personal prescriptions for their patients.
Here are five benefits of walking, as identified by Harvard Medical School.
1. Overcomes genes that promote weight gain. Harvard researchers examined 32 obesity-promoting genes in more than 12,000 people to determine how much these genes actually contribute to body weight. In study participants who briskly walked for about an hour a day, the effect of these genes was reduced by half.
2. Helps curb sweet tooth. A 15-minute walk can reduce chocolate cravings and even reduce the amount of chocolate you eat in stressful situations. Recent studies have shown that walking can reduce cravings and consumption of various sugary snacks.
3. Reduces the risk of breast cancer. Scientists already know that any physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer. But a study by the American Cancer Society that took walking into account found that women who walked seven or more hours a week had a 14 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. lower risk of breast cancer than those who walked three hours or less per week. Walking provided such protection even in women with breast cancer risk factors, such as being overweight or taking supplemental hormones.
4. Relieves joint pain. Several studies have shown that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, and walking 8-10 km per week can even prevent arthritis from forming. Walking protects the joints—especially the knees and hips, which are most susceptible to osteoarthritis—by lubricating them and strengthening the muscles that support them.
5. Increases immune function. Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. A study of more than 1,000 men and women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, 43 percent had fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. And if they were sick, it was shorter and the symptoms were milder.
Symbolically go together
Walking is always more interesting with like-minded people or goals. Rimgaudas Leonavičius from Alytus, who has always loved walking, came up with the idea of organizing a hike three years ago – to cover 100 km on foot without sleeping from Vilnius to Alytus.
“I think walking is the healthiest and cheapest sport that only requires comfortable shoes. I noticed that everyone wants challenges – runners take part in marathons, lovers of other sports also have various competitions, so you want to walk with a purpose. This walk is not only about endurance, but also about support – during it we collect funds for the autism support fund “Embassy of Change” and we all walk together, supporting and adapting to the needs of various people,” says a man working in the IT field.
The walk is not only about raising funds, but also about changing attitudes – walking together symbolizes diversity, that you have to accept and adapt to neurodiversity in everyday life as well.
The hike will start on August 10 in the morning on the outskirts of Vilnius, everyone who registered in advance will receive a link to the meeting. More about the hike www.ialytu.lt.
2024-07-30 09:45:09