Walking for wellness

Why walk for wellness?

Walking is a form of aerobic exercise, which means that it increases your heart rate, making your heart able to pump more blood per beat, which increases blood circulation throughout your body. This brings more oxygen and nutrients to your brain and other major organs, increases your lungs' ability to take in oxygen, lowers blood pressure, and helps to reduce body fat.

Walking is also a weight-bearing activity, which keeps your bones healthy by working the muscles and bones against gravity. Walking therefore helps reduce your risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

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1. Walking is a form of aerobic exercise that increases heart rate and strengthens the heart.

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Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH Carrie Henley	Last Updated: August 15, 2006
Medical Review:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Christine Fordyce, MD - Family Practice/Geriatrics
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