Page 41 - FS4 IN DECEMBER 2024

functions than light aerobic
exercise. One more benefit
refers to the rarity of arthritis
at an early age, the delay in its
appearance as we age, and
the lower incidence of other
joint problems in the legs and
hips in people who walk
regularly.
It is probably because the
body “takes care” and tries to
send nutrients to the cells
that work in this walking
activity, which would produce
even better quality of new
cells when the old ones are
replaced. Additionally, there is
the fact that the synovial
glands lubricate these joints
so that they work better
during walking, which makes
them better and more
durable.
There is more: walking
increases the activity of our
immune system. Several
studies have shown that
walking in some way helps us
have fewer diseases and that
Lymphatic circulation
“ depends fundamentally on
When we eat too
much, especially,
walking is one of the
few things that
makes our body
improve its ability to
digest food.
our system fights better
against the problems that
cause different diseases. Even
more, walking also helps the
return of our blood circulation
through our veins. Our body
has a single heart that pushes
the blood in its circuit from
the heart muscle and back
again, but: evolution has
devised a system called the
muscular pump that helps the
blood rise again to the level of
the heart. It works by dividing
its venous flow between an
internal current and a
superficial one, in addition to
a series of valves or areas
where the blood “stagnates” a
little more and which are
squeezed by the calf muscles
when we walk. This favours
venous return and prevents
various problems that arise
from poor blood circulation,
mainly varicose veins, but also
thrombosis or even water
retention in legs and hips,
preventing cellulite along with
other factors.
the health of the veins in our
legs, and this circulation is
what leads the interstitial
water to be “washed” in the
lymph nodes of the hips, so,
those of us who walk have
fewer of the problems we
have just described.
And yes, there are other
benefits as well, including on
a mental level. Depressions,
problems and worries are less
when you walk. That does not
mean they disappear, but
rather that our attitude
towards them improves.
Moving gives us kinetic energy
that hardly makes us produce
hormones or so-called
“negative” neurotransmitters
that make our lives more
complicated. What happens is
that they change them for
more positive thoughts that
make us be more decisive and
adopt a less “tragic” attitude.
Some people claim they are
more creative when they walk.
On many occasions when we
sleep, we see things much
worse than they really are and
when we get up and move,
we think “well, it’s not that big
of a deal”... Walking is even
recommended for depressed
people, due to the actions
that happen in our brains.
So, the conclusion should
be clear by now: we are made
to walk. Therefore, get out
there and walk as if your life
depended on it!
FITNESS STYLE 39