July 28, 2025
Every step you take is going to be better for your health. [But], if you really want to maximize the treatment effects, go for intensity.
Senior author of a new study, Margaret Danilovich, finds that picking up the pace of walking can lead to greater improvements in physical wellbeing.
Why It Matters: Researchers published their data analysis earlier this month, focusing on participants from retirement communities who were asked to walk faster than their usual pace. Their physical wellbeing was tested after walking for six straight minutes. When compared to participants who did not change their pace in day-to-day movement, those who walked faster showed fewer signs of frailty. In short, the study suggests that the intensity of a person’s workout can lead to physical improvements and that walking faster can help minimize frailty in older adults.
Learn More:
- Walkers who pick up their pace get a big boost in health benefits (Washington Post)
- Walking slightly faster could help older adults stay fit (University of Chicago Medicine)
Image Credit: Arek Adeoye on Unsplash
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
