Yoga Articles Walking Exercise

• Tweet
• 

...mental fatigue and alleviates stress.

Besides it is also a great way to tone and shape the leg muscles. Walking benefits are further highlighted by a recent study which showed that women who walked for one to three hours each week faced a 40 percent reduced risk of suffering heart attack and stroke as compared to sedentary women.

Some important points to keep in mind are that although walking does improve the physical endurance of the legs, it does not improve flexibility or strength. It also does not improve the strength of the upper body or abdomen. Some fitness experts also feel that walking does not offer as much bone strengthening benefits as was believed earlier. The rate of injury in walking is much lower than in other types of aerobic exercise. However certain precautions must still be taken. One must wear the right kind of shoes. Many walkers prefer to wear good running shoes. Shoes specially designed for long distance walking are the best type of shoes for walkers. The surface used for walking is also important in preventing injury. Concrete offers a smooth surface in which it becomes easy to detect irregularities. However it is also the hardest surface that one can walk on due to the low amount of shock absorption it provides. Grass and dirt surfaces are easy on the feet, but it can be hard to walk on irregularities such as rocks. This could cause injuries such as a sprained ankle. A sports track is also a good surface to walk on, although one should not repeatedly turn in the same direction as it could exert the inner leg too much.

Choosing the right time and place for walking helps to maximize its benefits. Walking when it is too hot could result in conditions such as dehydration. It is important to drink enough water before walking. Also carry a bottle of water while walking, especially when the weather is hot and humid. Avoid walking on a busy street to prevent accidents. Some common injuries that occur due to walking can be attributed to overuse. Such injuries can be prevented by incorporating warm up and cool down periods into the walking routine.

Read more articles from the Walking Exercise Category.