In my eyes, walking is the most underestimated physical activity form ever. Many studies have extolled the benefits of walking, including the Netherlands’ 2010 National Recreational Walking Monitor (in Dutch, see http://www.wandelnet.nl/sites/default/files/docs/nationalewandelmonitor-downloadpdf.pdf).
In this report, the definitions of recreational walking areas are as follows:
- short walk is 30 to 60 minutes (2-4 km);
- longer walk is 1 to 4 hours (4-14 km);
- long-distance walking is more than 15 km a day.
A regular walker is someone who walks 30 minutes a week at a minimum and who also makes longer walks regularly. A long-distance walker is someone who walks more than 15 km daily on a regular basis.
The Netherlands (total population 16 million) counts about 6.6 million walkers ages 18 years and older, including 850,000 long-distance walkers and 2.3 million city walkers (walkers in their neighborhood). Of all walkers, 40% are between 50 and 64 years old, and 10% are age 65 years and older. According to the Monitor, reasons to walk include “relaxation” (85%), “health” (66%), and “enjoying nature” (53%). Most walkers are accompanied by their partner (66%) or by friends (19%).
It’s easy to conclude that walking is a physical activity with a low barrier for many people. The bad news is that the respondents who are 65 years and older walk relatively less than their younger peers.
Benefits and Obstacles
A review of the benefits of walking by Lee and Buchner (2008)—specially made for a walking conference—revealed that “walking is a simple health behavior that can reduce rates of chronic disease and ameliorate rising health care costs, with only a modest increase in the number of activity-related injuries.” As far as I know, however, only modest attempts have been made by health professionals to stimulate older people to walk. Why is this?
Let me tell you a story. Ten years ago, I gave a presentation to about 100 general practitioners. They listened to my (as I hoped) stimulating presentation of physical activity programs for older people. After I ended my presentation, the doctors just stared at me. One doctor raised his finger and asked: “What should I do with an older woman suffering from heart problems?” He added that she had come into his practice with her son, who happened to be a lawyer.
Of course, I was astonished by this question. After a moment, I answered that he could ask the son to accompany his mother on a five-minute walk, adding a minute every day until 30 minutes a day were reached. I said that it appeared to me that this could also improve the relationship between mother and son. The audience did not laugh. I realized that this doctor feared the patient could have a heart attack or a fall. He was really afraid to be sued if he should give the advice to walk!
Unfortunately, I still feel this attitude when speaking with care personnel about physical activity for older people. After all, they must think, if you don’t move, you cannot fall.