Brisk walking has always been considered an excellent exercise to benefit a healthy lifestyle. The long-lasting benefits include strengthening your heart, keeping your weight in check, toning your legs, stomach and buttock muscles as well as providing energy and a happier mood. 

Researchers have learned that people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease who regularly walk for exercise may improve their motor function, mood, tiredness, fitness and some aspects of thinking abilities. The study is published in the July issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

People with moderate Parkinson's who do not have dementia and are able to walk independently without a cane or walker can safely follow the recommended exercise guidelines for healthy adults, which includes 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic activity, and experience benefits, said study author Y. Uc, MD, with the University of Iowa and member of the American Academy of Neurology.

Other study results 

Brisk walking improved motor function and mood by 15 percent

Brisk walking improved attention/response control scores by 14 percent

Brisk walking improved tiredness by 11 percent

Brisk walking increased aerobic fitness and gait speed by seven percent

On the test of motor function participants improved by an average of 2.8 points - considered a clinically important difference

The study involved 60 participants that took part in sessions of walking at moderate intensity while wearing heart rate monitors. They did this three times a week for 45 minutes per session for six months. They also took tests that measured their motor function, aerobic fitness, mood, tiredness, and memory and thinking abilities. The average walking speed was about 2.9 miles per hour. The participants exercised at 47 percent of their heart rate reserve, which meets the definition of moderate intensity aerobic exercise.

Rodale news also recently cited eight great reasons for brisk walking. Their article states that it deflects diabetes, soups up your sex life, saves money on gym costs, can get you off medications, helps fade fibromyalgia pain, helps you beat breast cancer, reduces stroke risk and lowers your risk of developing dementia.

Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral care, skincare, body care and foot care. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list.  

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.