Walking continuously for 10 to 15 minutes even if you are out of shape, or simply standing gazing at artworks in a gallery ― are both beneficial to health, two new studies show.“There is a perception that health professionals have recommended walking 10,000 steps a day is the goal, but this isn’t necessary. Simply adding one or two longer walks per day, each lasting at least 10-15 minutes at a comfortable but steady pace, may have significant benefits — especially for people who don’t walk much,” The way you walk counts, not just the number. The international study of inactive people showed that walking for 10 to 15 minutes is more beneficial than short walks of less than five minutes. Researchers found that the risk of a stroke or heart attack dropped from 13% among those who walked less than five minutes to 4% for those who walked for 10 to 15 minutes. The research involved 33,500 adults aged 40-79. “which is an important predictor of mortality”But she added: “I am a huge advocate for ‘something is better than nothing’ when it comes to any form of exercise. So if someone works long hours at a desk and is unable to fit in longer bouts of exercise into their schedule, they would benefit far more from fitting in smaller bouts of exercise or activity when they can, compared to nothing at all.“Walking is an accessible way of exercising that requires no equipment or fancy gym memberships,” She noted that South Africans walked in the majority, but she did not elaborate. “very different settings and spaces compared to what we see at Sea Point promenade”.UCT’s Prof Vicki Lambert, director of the Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport (HPALS) Centre until she retired, noted that in highly unequal Global South countries like South Africa most of the walking people do is “not so much out of choice but rather a means of transport”.“As such, walking can often place individuals living in low-income or more disadvantaged settings at risk for personal safety and from traffic … We need to advocate for safer open and green public spaces, better lighting, better verges and sidewalks, and more equitable, walkable urban environments,” Ross said that many South Africans with disabilities are excluded by law from participating in safe activities.“Our sidewalks are not always wheelchair-friendly …This means an entire group of people are excluded from being able to walk or move around safely in these public spaces. Another thing we need to advocate for more.”Matthew Grossett of Run/Walk for Life International said that 70% of its 32,000 members were walkers. “Strolling and walking are very different, though of course you get benefits from both,” “People talk about 10,000 step but not the intensity,” said Grosssett. “The 15 minutes will be even more beneficial if you are walking in your aerobic heart rate zone and you should still be able to hold a conversation [during the walk].”Walking and running together can create friendships. “consistency among our members and keeps them coming back for more”, he said.Gauguin’s painting The Dream was one of five in an artwork study.But movement isn’t the only way to improve your wellbeing. The art study is the first experimental evidence that viewing authentic artworks in a museum or gallery engages the body’s systems for stress and immune regulation in ways that are good for you. The paper is not yet peer-reviewed.Courtney Worrell, from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, led the study among 50 healthy adults aged 18 to 40, who were divided into two groups.Half viewed five impressionist and post-impressionist artworks, including Van Gogh’s self-portrait with bandaged ear, for three minutes each in the gallery while half viewed high-quality reprints in a lab-setting.Medical grade sensors measured their salivary cortisol (a stress hormone) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (if overactive they are damaging), heart rate, heart rate variability and skin temperature. The results for the gallery group was better than that of the lab group. “highlights museums and galleries as accessible settings for public-health interventions”. − TimesLIVE
2025-10-31 06:54:57
Walking and art are good for your heart
