|
|
|
Our walking news headlines are updated every Monday.
Walk, Don't Run, to the Nearest Marathon: Races see More Walkers
Baltimore Sun (August 25, 2008)
A Pennsylvania woman is part of an increasing number of people who walk half-marathons and marathons. Event organizers, trainers and athletes say they see more people who train specifically to walk. But deciding to walk a daylong route through the city demands preparation. “Team in Training” begins its preparation - for walkers and runners alike - five months before an event.
Residents of Sun Valley Using Walking Program to Improve Health
Fox.com (August 23, 2008)
For the past year and a half, hundreds of people in the largely Latino community of Sun Valley, California have been the subject of a UCLA medical program. As part of the program, the residents are out walking in their neighborhoods to improve their health.
Exercise and Limited TV Time May Keep Kids Trim
Reuters Health (August 22, 2008)
Children who regularly exercise and limit their time in front of the TV and computer are much less likely to be overweight, according to a new study. For the exercise component, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that boys move enough to take 13,000 steps each day, while girls should take a minimum of 11,000. Another common recommendation is for children and teenagers to get at least one hour of moderate exercise on most days of the week.
To Live Longer, Stay Active, Calm and Organized
Reuters Health (August 20, 2008)
People who are active, emotionally calm, and organized, may live longer than those with less positive personality traits such as anxiousness, anger, or fearfulness, according to the National Institute of Health’s 50 year-long study. The findings, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, indicate that people who are more active and energetic are more emotionally stable.
Walking to Beat Diabetes
Long Beach Press Telegram (August 17, 2008)
The “Get Moving“ Program, funded by California Endowment, targets low-income women suffering from diabetes, with a goal to improving prevention and care. Walking groups provide the physical activity important to the control of diabetes, especially for women who cannot afford costlier methods of exercise.
Walk This Way
New York Times (August 16, 2008)
Walking is still the best way to get around in New York and walking effectively is not unlike driving, minus the vehicle. Many of the same rules apply - choose a lane, no tailgating, and avoid collision, according to this wry article.
Put More Sole into Your Next Trip
Canada.com (August 16, 2008)
When creating a Google map, you can now ask for walking rather than driving directions. The result will be a route that avoids major roads and uses pedestrian walkways when available.
Receive a Low-Impact Workout by Race Walking
The Courier (August 17, 2008)
Race walking, which has been an Olympic sport for 100 years, is low impact yet still uses 95 percent of the body's muscles, according to this article.
There are two basic rules of race walking: one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times, and the forward leg must be straight at the knee until it is vertical under the body. This is not the same form as in “speed walking" or "power walking”.
Five Lifestyle Habits That Cut Stroke Risk
CBS News (August 14, 2008)
A new study shows that five healthy lifestyle factors help cut the risk of the most common type of stroke by 80%. The study was reported in the journal Circulation.
The researchers defined a low-risk lifestyle as: not smoking, not being overweight, a healthy diet and moderate alcohol intake. Also important, is engaging in moderate to vigorous activity (such as brisk walking) for a half-hour or more every day.
Exercise Reduces Blood Pressure
Medline Plus (August 14, 2008)
For people with high blood pressure, exercise can be the most important lifestyle change they can make, researchers say. However, two-thirds of doctors don’t tell these patients about the importance of exercise, according to a new study. The findings, published in the current issue of Ethnicity & Disease, show that exercise, including a “walking plus” program, has beneficial effects on blood pressure.
Dara Torres Inspires Older Women to Get Fit
Associated Press/MSNBC (August 14, 2008)
A 49-year-old Massachusetts woman takes evening walks because she is inspired by Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, and plans to lose 4 pounds before the end of the Beijing Olympics. According to a Syracuse University professor who studies pop culture,
Torres may inspire women to exercise, because they see her as a regular person who happens to be very good at one sport.
Have a Hot Time in Virginia’s Old Town Tonight
The Street.com (August 14, 2008)
Walkers visiting Washington, D.C. might want to spend a day in old town Alexandria, VA whose compact, walkable core offers shops, cafes and international restaurants. It's the best way there is to explore on foot.
Rochester: MN’s Most Walkable City?
MN Trails.com (August 11, 2008)
A new plan to encourage walking in Rochester, Minnesota has been launched by the City of Rochester, Steps to a Healthier Rochester, and other partners. The city’s Mayor cited Prevention Magazine’s list of Top 100 Walking Cities in the U.S., which included Rochester. He said “we have made it our mission to get residents visitors out walking …walking is cheap…and keeps our residents healthy”.
Walking routes are available at www.WalkRochester.com.
Run For Your Life
U.S. News & World Report (August 11, 2008)
Research spanning two decades has found that older runners live longer and suffer fewer disabilities than healthy non-runners. The findings probably apply to a variety of aerobic exercises including walking, said the study authors, from Stanford University School of Medicine. Their findings are published in the current Archives of Internal Medicine. "Vigorous activity has a really dramatic impact, but we can't ignore that there are also helpful benefits to people who are active at all levels, meaning those people who are just out walking" said a professor commenting on the study.
Pittsburgh Seeks to Make Walking, Biking Safer
Pittsburgh Business Times (August 11, 2008)
Pittsburgh seeks to make walking and biking safer and plans to promote it through the hiring of the city’s first bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. Some of the planned measures include designating and marking routes around the city, and improving the city’s steps and stairways.
Boomers: Tips on How to Exercise Safely
Kansas City Infozine (August 11, 2008)
An orthopedic surgeon reviews way to protect yourself from exercising injuries as you grow older. They include developing a balanced fitness program and “listening” to your bodies’ needs.
Fit and Fat? Study Says Likely Not
New Haven Register (August 11, 2008)
Some proponents of the benefits of physical activity have argued that being fit is good for health no matter what one weighs. Fitness, they say, trumps fatness when it comes to health benefits. However, studies at the Harvard School of Public Health have shown that both fitness and fatness do matter, and that lean and fit is associated with the best outcomes, for key health factors.
Avoid Spending on a Gym with Free Exercise Classes
The Daily News (August 10, 2008)
Walking is one of the economical ways to exercise in New York. “Walking is something that is so universal and everyone can enjoy in the city," said a NYC Parks Department spokeswoman. She added, "It's a great low cost method of maintaining fitness in the summer, especially for kids”.
How Walkable Is Your Neighborhood?
The New York Times (August 8, 2008)
Cited in previous WalkStyles Walking News, the WalkScore website is analyzed further in this article. Just type in a street address in the US, Canada or Great Britain, and (by coordinating with Goggle Maps and Census data) a map appear showing the nearest grocery stores, restaurants, gyms, schools and more. It then uses a formula to assign point values to locations within a mile of the given address, yielding a “walkability” score. A sample address in Manhattan scored very high and called a “walker’s paradise” because it is within a quarter mile of eight grocery stores, seven schools, eight gyms and seven coffee shops.
San Francisco is a Pedestrian's Paradise
San Francisco Examiner.com (August 7, 2008)
“Whenever I speak with prospective visitors, I always talk about the fact that you can walk from the ocean to the Bay in two hours,” said a representative of San Francisco’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. She said, “I strongly discourage renting a car because the city is so walkable.”
Walking Backwards Favorite Exercise Pastime in Beijing
The Daily News (August 7, 2008)
An American newspaper reporter in Beijing notes men walking backwards for exercise, and questions whether it is effective for cardio health. These walkers wear footgear which look like half-slippers/half sneakers.
How One Woman Conquered the Tallest Mountains and a Serious Illness
Health (August 1, 2008)
A 56-year-old Swiss walker recently climbed Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain—even after having major heart surgery to fix a serious valve problem.
This Old (Healthy) House
New York Times (July 31, 2008)
University of Utah research (previously cited in Walk Styles’ Walking News) shows that people who live in older, more walkable neighborhoods are at lower risk for obesity. In addition, research in Stanford Medicine Magazine found that among people who were trying to be more active, living in walkable neighborhoods dramatically improved their odds of exercising for at least two-and-a-half hours a week more than they would otherwise.
Find Common Ground in a Walking Group
Sun-Herald.com (July 30, 2008)
Walking groups are a popular way for a group of like-minded walkers to meet up and set out walking. One of the challenges is to keep the interest going by looking for ways to enhance motivation. Consider choosing a name for the group; participate in charity walking events, or set time and intensity goals for the walks.
Warming Up Your Exercise Routine
Newsday (July 30, 2008)
According to a New York trainer, warming up is important to prepare your body for activity, which not only gets the heart rate pumping but also helps prevent injury and improves the overall quality of your exercise. Warm ups should be 5- 10 minutes and enough to break a sweat, but nothing that pushes you too much.
Walkable Neighborhoods Keep the Pounds Off
U.S. News & World Report (July 29, 2008)
Dr. David Katz, a director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine says, "Build neighborhoods where physical activity is encouraged. Lesser rates of obesity and better health are apt to follow”. A report in the September issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds that living in an older neighborhood with a higher proportion of residents who walk to work predicts lower weight.
Sidewalks Critical to the Health of a Community
Rutland Herald (July 27, 2008)
The executive director of the Rutland Physical Activity Coalition says, “All good land use planners now recognize that the "walkability" of a town — no matter its size — is a key component of both the town's economy and the quality of life of its citizens.”
A town's "walkability" is generally a function of the quality and quantity of its sidewalks.
Most Fit Have Less Brain Atrophy from Alzheimer’s
HealthDayNews (July 27, 2008)
Research to be presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Chicago this week shows that the most physically fit Alzheimer’s sufferers have less brain atrophy. The physical exercise did not have to be strenuous or require a major time commitment.
Walking Maps Promote Healthy Community Living
CBS4-Denver (July 26, 2008)
A map developed by a Denver area business association and America on the Move
is designed to help residents get the most out of their neighborhood, in terms of "walkability". The Stapleton Area Walking Map shows you how to get from point to point by walking and how to keep track of minutes walked, mileage, and more.
Consider an Area’s Walkability
The Arizona Republic (July 25, 2008)
According to the program manager for Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability, walkable neighborhoods offer many benefits to society. Features that make a neighborhood pedestrian-friendly include a town center within walkable distance to homes, sidewalk ramps and readily available shade structures or trees.
Stepping Up to Better Health
Litchfield Independent Review(July 24, 2008)
Litchfield, Minn Mayor Vern Madson set his goal at losing 30 pounds and achieved his goal within 10 weeks using walking as his exercise. He weighed himself nightly and wrote down the number of miles that he walked daily. Since 2003, he has walked 7,000 miles.
Bushwalking Dream Team Makes Tracks
The Canberra Times (July 21, 2008)
A decades-long dream of Sydney’s recreational walkers will be realized this week, with a walking track spanning the Sydney coastline. Spanning 100 kilometers (roughly 50 miles), it took 21 government agencies, and a handful of walking aficionados called “The Walking Volunteers” a group of middle-aged enthusiasts.
$1 Million to Promote Walking and Biking to School
Twin County News (July 17, 2008)
Virginia’s governor has announced $1 million in Safe Routes to School funding to school systems and local governments to make bicycling and walking to school safer and more appealing.
Seattle Ranked Sixth Most Walkable City
Seattlepi.com (July 17, 2008)
Walk Score (cited often in WalkStyles’ Walking News) measures neighborhoods' walkability, and just ranked the most walkable cities in the country. First was San Francisco, then New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia, with Seattle sixth. The site analyzed 2,508 neighborhoods in the 40 most populous cities in the country in their survey.
Walking? Beat the Heat with These Tips
Detroit Free Press (July 17, 2008)
Suggestions on safety while walking in the heat include drinking plenty of fluids, staying out of the sun, wearing loose lightweight clothing, and choosing breathable shoes.
Active Kids Becoming Couch Potato Teens
CBS News (July 16, 2008)
One of the largest studies of its kind shows that American children’s exercise levels drop sharply once they become teens. While 90 percent of 9-year-olds get a couple of hours of exercise most days, fewer than 3 percent of 15-year-olds do. In addition, the study suggests that less than a third of teens meet the government recommended minimum for moderate-to-vigorous exercise, like cycling, brisk walking, and swimming or jogging. The study, in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association, also raises concerns about inactivity continuing into adulthood.
UGA Study: Walking Decreases Disability Risk
Online Athens.com (July 16, 2008)
Older people can improve their chance of staying healthy and independent by walking regularly, according to a University of Georgia study. “Walking is a low-cost way to become physically active, since all the equipment walking requires is a pair of shoes”, said the study's lead author. People often drop out of exercise programs, but not one of the walkers did, at least partly because the walking program provided company as well as exercise, said the researchers.
Neighborhood May Affect High Blood Pressure Risk
REUTERS (July 15, 2008)
Researchers found that people who lived in neighborhoods with more opportunities for exercise, less crime, better grocery stores and a closer sense of community had a lower risk of high blood pressure. The results, published in the journal Epidemiology, suggest that walkable streets are one of the factors that make it easier for people to exercise and maintain a healthy diet, which contributes to cardiovascular health.
Mallercise: Can You Shape Up at the Shops?
Telegram.co.uk (July 14, 2008)
Many older Americans are fans of “mallercise”, walking around an indoor shopping centre at a brisk pace, without pausing for window shopping. Now Mallercise is catching on in Great Britain as a free and effective exercise. Her Majesty's chief medical officer recommends five 30-minute bouts of brisk exercise a week to maintain fitness in adulthood.
Illinois Cities in Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live
WPSD-News Channel 6 (July 14, 2008)
Money magazine says the Chicago suburb of Naperville is the third best place in the country to live. The magazine touts the western suburb's walkable downtown.
Kids Urged to Walk, Bike to School
USA Today (July 12, 2008)
Across the U.S., schools are encouraging families to walk or bike to school, to promote healthy habits, relieve traffic congestion, and reduce auto emissions. Students who live too far to walk or bike are asked to form car pools, use public transportation or walk part of the way. Prizes for walking or biking to school have ranged from bottles of water to digital cameras. Many community groups are funding the programs with grants from the national Safe Routes to School program, administered by the Federal Highway Administration, which has funded programs in 40 states.
Active Lifestyle May Prevent Cancer: Japan Study
Medline Plus (July 10, 2008)
Physically active people are less likely than sedentary types to develop cancer, according to new research from the Japanese health ministry, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The results of the study also showed the trend to be prevalent for colon, liver and pancreas cancer risks for men and the development of stomach cancer among women.
Residents are Encouraged to Join the City's Growing 'Walkolution'
Branford Expositor (Canada) (July 8, 2008)
The Branford (Canada) City Council signed an International Charter for Walking that committed to reducing "the physical, social and institutional barriers that limit walking activity." This ties in with ongoing efforts in Brantford/Brant to create healthy, efficient and sustainable communities where people choose to walk rather than rely on vehicular transport.
Google Maps Takes Steps Towards Walking Directions
CNET News (July 8, 2008)
Google Maps is starting to roll out an online test of walking directions in addition to driving directions. This can be useful in cities with lots of one-way streets, like New York, or with areas that accommodate pedestrians but not cars. Previously, Google Maps suggested an indirect highway route when a more direct route is possible by walking or biking.
Walking Takes America by Storm
The Green Guide (July 7, 2008)
This year newspapers, newscasts, magazines and websites are bursting with stories about how important walking is to our health, our environment, our satisfaction with life, and the vitality of our communities. Alan Ehrenhalt, heralds "The Walkability Revival" in his Governing magazine column. "It's not just New Urbanists who are talking the language of walkability now," he writes. "It's developers, realtors, chambers of commerce, transportation agencies."
Fitness Levels Affected by Land Use Patterns
The Vancouver Sun (Canada) (July 7, 2008)
When we choose whether to use active (walking, biking, transit) or sedentary (driving) transportation modes, our environment plays an important role in determining our overall level of physical activity, which in turn affects our health. Communities that are walkable have good pedestrian infrastructure and provide efficient transit systems get people out of their cars.
Lack of Respect? Race Walking Relegated to the Parking Lot
ESPN.com (July 6, 2008)
The U.S. Track & Field Trials are getting 20,000 fans but not many are supporting the race walkers. The basic rule of race walking is you can't break into a running stride. Your lead leg must be straight -- no bent knees -- when the foot touches the ground and one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times. "It's less stressful on your body than running and it uses almost every muscle in the body,” said one race walker.
First Stage of Extensive UK Walking and Cycling Routes to Open
Best Western News (UK) (July 4, 2008)
The first stage of an extensive network of walking and cycling routes has been opened in the United Kingdom, in Dumfries. The multi-million dollar system will establish more convenient routes into towns or cities nationwide and aims to reduce car travel in favor of walking and cycling.
No Cars Go: 10 Walkable U.S. Vacations
Home and Away Magazine (July 3, 2008)
Ten vacation spots from Maine to Alaska are recommended for walkable vacations. They include Smith Island, Maryland; Catalina Island, California; and Bald Head Island, North Carolina.
It's Easy Being Green: Walking vs. Driving Is a No-Brainer
American Progress (July 2, 2008)
Walking can reduce the risk of many diseases, including heart attack, stroke, and glaucoma. It helps manage weight, control blood pressure, and protect against hip fractures. Other benefits frequently cited include depression prevention, arthritis relief, stronger bones and joints, and a longer lifespan.
Sportsplex striders; Close-Knit Walking Group Racking Up the Miles
Gaylord Herald Times (July 1, 2008)
“We’ll have anybody, as long as they’re over 60”, says a member of a group of dedicated senior citizen fitness walkers at the Sportsplex in Gaylord, Michigan. “I do it for my health and I do it for my heart. I had open heart surgery and I attribute my improved health to my walking,” says another member.
For Older Adults, Motivation to Stay Active Comes in Many Forms
USA Today (July 1, 2008)
Seniors speak of what gets them moving. One walks on a treadmill, lifts weights and works out to exercise videos, despite two knee surgeries. She's motivated by her family and the need to manage an irregular heart beat, fragile bones and arthritis. Another says an outdoor 40-minute brisk walk every day "keeps me from getting depressed," especially during the winter…activity works even better than Prozac”.
|
|
|
|