A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that taking longer walks may offer greater health benefits than spreading the same number of steps across multiple short walks throughout the day. Researchers followed 34,000 people in the United Kingdom for about a week, tracking their walking patterns with accelerometers. The findings showed that individuals who regularly walked for more than 15 minutes had an 80% lower risk of dying from any cause and nearly 70% lower risk of developing heart disease over roughly 10 years, compared to those whose walks lasted five minutes or less. The study focused on people taking fewer than 8,000 steps daily, with most participants walking under 5,000 steps. While the research shows correlation rather than direct cause, experts believe longer continuous walks allow the body more time to experience exercise benefits like improved heart function.
Longer Walks Show Better Health Outcomes Than Short Bursts
The study analyzed participants who had similar total step counts but different walking patterns. Those who concentrated their steps into longer continuous walks showed significantly better health outcomes than people who moved in shorter bursts. The benefit was especially noticeable in sedentary individuals taking fewer than 5,000 steps daily. Researchers believe the body needs more time and continuity to fully benefit from exercise, including improved heart rate regulation. However, experts note the study has limitations. Walking patterns were based on just one week of data, and researchers could not account for factors like neighborhood walkability or strength training. Despite these limitations, health experts recommend gradually increasing walk duration. Simple changes like parking farther away or meeting friends for strolls can help achieve longer walking sessions and potentially improve overall health.
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