The Parish Magazine November 2020

health
During the glorious September sunshine, I went for a walk;
not for any purpose although it didn’t end up as just a walk.
I had my camera with me and a quick walk around Sonning
turned into a couple of hours stopping and taking photographs
(on the right) which we will all recognise. The walk was
supposed to blow the cobwebs off and get a bit of exercise.
This then turned into a Google Scholar search to look at the
benefits of walking. I also did a normal Google search to
compare what health gurus, rather than scientists, say.
The words used in normal mode over emphasises
the benefits but the science shows that the effects are
statistically significant. A study, that combined many small
studies together (meta study) showed that group walking
was more beneficial than solo walking but both lone and
groups gained benefits.
— Weight Loss
— Falling BMI
— Lower blood glucose
— Better memory and cognitive function
— Lower Cholesterol
— Mood improvement
— Lower subjective measures of stress
— And follow up studies showed longer life.
An interesting study that only included women showed
that long walks had a more significant reduction in hip
circumference. I couldn’t find one that was men only
measuring hip circumference but stereotypes still exist in
science!
None of this should come as a surprise but misconceptions
form from un-evidenced theory and our basic thinking leads
us to the quickest easiest answer or conclusion. It’s why we
see teddy bears or sharks in the clouds.
However, the science proves that going for a walk is
probably the easiest route to better health for most of us.
Why do 29% of UK adults do less than 30 minutes of
exercise per week. And 5% do not walk continuously for more
than 5 minutes over 4 weeks?
This is an Italian tradition of going out for a leisurely
stroll for, apparently, no reason. But the Italians will dress up
in their finery to do this.
This nonchalant activity is a pathway to socialising
because most people engaged in this activity are doing the
same. This gives them all a common purpose and sense of
community.
Thus the no reason becomes a reason.
We have a beautiful village and despite the weather that
we see through the winter there is little reason not to enjoy
it as it changes through the seasons and you do not become
ill from being out and about except for a very few conditions
where getting cold may exacerbate symptoms, such as severe
heart disease and lung disorders.
May I suggest that Sonning Passeggiata becomes a ‘thing’
for all of us? While we persuade ourselves it is for no reasons
the benefits are clear.
The Parish Magazine - November 2020 33
Dr Simon Ruffle writes . . . when going for a walk isn’t just that!
WOMEN ONLY?
HERE COMES THE 'BUT'
PASSEGGIATA
NOVEMBER 2020.indd 33 11/10/2020 23:50:25