Walking frequently is linked to reduced back pain, and it’s the total amount of walking that matters most, not how intense it is.
A large research effort examined how daily walking relates to the likelihood of developing chronic lower back problems. If people adopt the simple guidance that emerges, the approach could ease back pain for many and reduce costs for healthcare systems.
The results are clear: people who walk more tend to have fewer lower back issues, and total time on foot matters more than speed or intensity. In practical terms, walking longer is more beneficial than walking faster.
“People who walk more than 100 minutes every day have a 23 per cent lower risk of lower back problems than those who walk 78 minutes or less,” said Rayane Haddadj.
It probably comes as no surprise that physical activity is good for your back, but until now, we have not actually known whether the amount of low-intensity walking we do also helps.
“Intensity also plays a role in the risk of long-term back problems, but not as much as the daily amount of walking,” emphasized Haddadj.
Back pain is a very common ailment
“The findings highlight the importance of finding time to be physically active – to prevent both chronic back problems and a number of other diseases. Over time, this could lead to major savings for society .”
