The benefits of walking backwards, according to this scientist

What if we walked… backwards? In a scientific article published recently, a researcher presents the benefits of walking backwards.

According to the World Health Organization, there should be 10,000 steps per day to stay in shape, preserve your health and control your weight. If putting one foot in front of the other is good for the body (and the mind), a researcher suggests doing the opposite. Jack Mc Namara, Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology at University of East London, advocates for walking backwards. He presents the benefits of this funny activity in an article published on November 30 in The Conversation.

Relieve joint pain

The backward walk is a rehabilitation tool, but it could be useful to everyone. As the expert explains, one of the benefits of walking backwards is improving stability and balance. “Walking backwards causes us to take shorter and more frequent steps, which improves muscular endurance in the lower leg muscles while reducing the load on our joints“he wrote.

This activity is therefore particularly recommended for people suffering fromosteoarthritis knee or of heel pain, he remarks. That’s not all. It also makes it possible to solicit other muscles than those engaged during a classic walk. This is the case of the tissues supporting the lumbar. In this sense, it is a particularly beneficial exercise for people who have badly down back.

Lose weight

Reverse walking is effective for weight loss. According to the researcher, energy expenditure is almost 40% higher than conventional walking. He cites a study that demonstrated a reduction in body fat in young women who completed a six–week backward walking or running workout program.