Dr. Thomas Gill, professor of geriatrics at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn. led a study by Patricia Katz, Ph.D., professor of medicine at the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF). They have come out with some interesting info that Nordic Walkers should note.
Many Nordic Walkers are seniors (although all ages “do it.”). He says that even a simple physical activity – mostly walking – was a great thing for folks over 70 to remain mobile. Especially after they have gone through a disabling trauma. Quite often there are conditions that just seem to linger well after the incident.
Dr Gill: Walking is great exercise
Dr. Gill found that telling his patients to go out and exercise may work better than prescribing drugs.
Studies have shown that only half of American adults exercise enough. It’s suggested that adults get 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise. Bingo – Nordic Walking fills the order. Do the math. Try it for 5 days a week. Gosh that’s only 30 minutes….good for 4 laps around the park.
Begin to get into the groove of regular exercise. You can’t turn back the clock to your high school days when you were out playing and running. But it’s never too late to make exercising a regular routine. People of all ages DO NOT get the amount of physical activity recommended for good health. Make it a routine. Join a gym to get your resistance workout in.
The treadmill is great for those cold and rainy days that you don’t feel like going outside. Or do like Minnesotans….grab your poles and get outside! The steel tips will grip the snow. (A good idea just to keep from slipping!)
Background reading; 2 1/2 hours a week should do it!
Poles give you stability and balance as you walk. If you have arthritis, the poles have straps that will bring them along. No grabbing needed. In fact – it’s not recommended to grab.
OK, so now we understand how much time we need to exercise, but how hard? Get your heart rate up maybe 7-10 points and keep it there. Get your breathing rate up…like you are trying to catch a bus. Don’t “lolly-gag.”
Thanks to Dr Gill and other medical professionals who are spreading the word on the benefits of rising up off the couch and getting outdoors…. Nordic Walking is FUN!
READ the whole report (Sept. 26, 2016, Annals of Internal Medicine)
Carpe Diem!