Regular walking regimen can improve heart health

Researchers at Binghamton University, New York State University, found that the average intensive walk improves cardiovascular risk factors in the short term, broadcasts news.

We know walking is an excellent form of training, but research has been mixed by how successful a program can be in changing biological markers like cholesterol, weight, blood pressure, said Pamela Stewart Fahs, associate dean.

Fahs conducted Elisabeth Marigliano, a PhD student, while they conducted a study in a group of 70 women. Subjects were tested as part of their voluntary participation in a community walking programme.

Participants were given a programmable pace to wear over a 10-week period, and were asked to move quickly for at least 150 minutes a week. Two days later, they returned to record pre-test records.

Furthermore, an Internet-based risk assessment tool was used to determine the risk of participants in a heart attack within the next 10 years.

After five weeks, participants were invited to participate in a heart - health discussion and to download the data of the stepchildren, writes alternative medicine. Researchers examined the activity records with participants and discussed increasing their aerobic steps.

Participants were also offered a challenge in an effort to increase aerobic activity, as well as to improve the completion of the study. This challenge included an increase in their total daily average of aerobic steps by at least 10% for the rest of the study.

Finally, with the completion of the program, the weight of participants, BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol, were measured. They were also asked to complete a study on their physical activity, food elections, personal characteristics and behavior from the 10-week period.

Their post-test results confirmed the team's initial hypothesis that walking would improve cardiovascular risk factors in the short term.

The team suggested that future research have random championing with a more varied population.