A global study, the first of its kind, concluded that brisk walking or walking with long strides significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is one of the major health threats in the world.
The study, the results of which were published inBritish Journal of Sports MedicinePeople who walked at a speed greater than 3 kilometers per hour were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes overall, while those who walked at a speed greater than 6 kilometers per hour had a 39 percent lower risk.
The researchers found that compared to walking at a speed of less than 3 km/h, an average or normal walking speed of 3-5 km/h was associated with a 15 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, regardless of the time the individual spent walking.
The risk of developing the disease decreased by 24 percent with fairly brisk walking between 5 kilometers per hour and 6 kilometers per hour, according to the study.
The researchers said: “Current strategies to increase total walking time are useful, and it is also important to encourage people to walk at faster speeds, to increase the health benefits of walking.”
The researchers also acknowledged that people with faster walking speeds are more likely to be fitter, with greater muscle mass and better overall health.
Walking speed is also linked to improved cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength, both of which are linked to diabetes risk, and brisk walking is beneficial for weight loss, which helps improve insulin sensitivity, according to the researchers.
The World Health Organization confirms that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has risen sharply in the past three decades.
More than 537 million people have been diagnosed with the disease, but it is estimated that millions more do not know they have the condition.
Type 2 diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and lower limb amputation.
2023-11-29 13:57:40
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