Let’s talk the walk

Walking seems like the simplest thing in the world – simply put one foot forward, then another. Yet studies have shown that the ability to walk at a brisk and steady pace might be directly linked to our quality of life¹. In fact, noticeable changes in someone’s walking speed or their ability to move about with ease could be a warning sign of undetected health issues¹.

Due to its reliability as an indicator of a person’s health, gait speed has emerged as the sixth vital sign¹, along with other markers like body temperature, blood pressure, and glucose level.

How we walk – safely and speedily – takes on greater importance as our body goes through the wear and tear that comes with old age. Incidents linked to old age such as falling and age-related conditions like dementia could be prevented, or at least alleviated, by actively maintaining our ability to walk well. It’s the key to a bigger puzzle: can we keep our body and brain active as we reach our silver years?

What is the key to maintaining a good walk? The answer is complex and interconnected, and training the muscles that power our legs are only a part of it.

Refining your walking technique

Everyone knows how to walk, but walking well is another matter to master. Just like swimming or running a marathon, having a good technique will help you walk safely and effectively, avoiding injuries along the way¹.

As this article touches on, maintaining mobility is not simply about giving your muscles and joints a workout. From cardiovascular endurance to mental agility, walking is an intricate process that incorporates every part of your body. That’s why keeping pace and keeping fit regularly should be one of your key priorities.

It should be noted that the risk of falling increases as you get older. To maintain your independence and stay mobile during and after unexpected incidents that limit your mobility, you will need to cushion your finances with a long-term disability support plan, such as GREAT Careshield.

Source:

1. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/mobility-walking-health-exercise-technique
2. https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/work-out-from-home-build-your-endurance
3. https://www.healthxchange.sg/fitness-exercise/weight-management/staying-fit-healthy-thirties
4. https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patient-care/patient-education/balance-exercises
5. https://www.healthxchange.sg/news/stretching-into-the-silver-years
6. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/27/new-study-on-benefits-of-walking-frequency-speed-and-how-many-steps.html