Walking to health

13/08/07

Scientists have found that walking for half an hour, three days a week is the minimum required to have positive health effects including reduced blood pressure and improved fitness.

The study, led by researchers at Queen's University, Belfast, looked at a group of 106 healthy but sedentary civil servants aged between 40 and 61, asking some to take part in a 12 week exercise programme, either walking for half an hour three days or five days a week.

Although there were no changes in the health of the participants who didn't take up the exercise programme, there were significant improvements in blood pressure and waist and hip measurements in those who took up walking.