Brisk Walking Lowers Blood Pressure, Increases Fitness in Obese

“If walking seems too simple to be an effective fitness method, think again: taking a stroll is an easy way to lower pressure and for the obese to increase aerobic fitness, according to three researchers who presented findings today at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. ‘Obese patients have more body mass to move, causing the heart and cardiovascular system to have to work harder than a normal-weight person's would,’ Thomas Spring, M.S., said. ‘Walking is a great way for the overweight and obese to begin an exercise program, because it can be done with little instruction or equipment and is low in cost. ACSM recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days per week for healthy adults. The guidelines also state that physical activity can be broken up into 10-minute bouts and be as effective as one longer session, a recommendation confirmed by another study on the effects of brisk walking on hypertension.”

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/brisk-walking-lowers-blood-pressure-increases-fitness-in-obese,413783.shtml