Loading...
Regular brisk walking (i.e., walking at a pace of 3–5 miles per hour) is a convenient form of exercise. Evidence suggests that joining a walking group not only is a cost-effective way to increase physical activity but that it also improves adherence to walking. To assess the health benefits of outdoor group walking, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 42 studies from 14 countries involving 1843 participants (mean age, 54; 74% women) and 74,000 hours of participant walking time. Time spent walking ranged from 20 to 460 minutes weekly, and studies ranged in duration from 3 weeks to 1 year. Mean adherence was 75%.
During the intervention, participants in walking groups showed significant improvements in systolic blood pressure, diastolic b…