Researchers were able to use a study to show that people who walk quickly live up to 15 years longer than people who walk more slowly.
Those who frequent the pedestrian zone of the shopping street know the picture: While some people are looking for their way through the crowd as quickly as possible and quickly scurry from one store to the next, others stroll comfortably along. What drives those who are faster on the road to white heat. But does it actually have an impact on our health whether we dawdle or walk fast? Yes – at least that is the answer given by British scientists to this question. Because a large study shows that fast runners can live significantly longer than strollers.
There is not always strength in rest
Researchers at the National Institute for Health Research wanted to know whether our life expectancy is also affected by how fast or slow we go through life. To do this, they examined the data of around 475,000 British respondents. The surprising result: The high-speed runners can live a full 15 years longer than the second-hand traders. But that's not all. The researchers also focused on the variables life expectancy and weight. It turned out that the higher life expectancy of high-speed runners also applied regardless of their weight – even if they were significantly overweight.
Bad result for underweight strollers
However, weight did play a role in another group of those affected: underweight people who also stated that they walked rather slowly received the worst result in life expectancy. The researchers conclude from the data that it plays a bigger role in our life expectancy, how our general physical fitness is and how we use it to cope with everyday activities. Other factors such as diet or body mass index (BMI) have so far been the focus of this question.
Tom Yates, who served as a lead researcher on the study, said in a press release: "Our results could help illustrate the importance of physical fitness compared to body weight when it comes to life expectancy." However, this does not mean that the BMI will no longer play a role as a criterion in the future – instead, one should simply recognize physical health as another possible factor. After all, it is an interplay of many different variables that influence our life expectancy.
Either way: walks are healthy
Whether you are a fast runner yourself or a loiter – if you incorporate a short walk into your everyday life you are definitely doing something good for your health. Regular Walks not only strengthen the muscles, but also improve general endurance and the immune system, as various studies show. A walk in the forest is ideal, because it also helps to forget everyday stress and lifts your spirits.