What is this technique
Researchers at Shinsu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan have developed this walking style. There is neither a walk slowly nor difficult tracking. In this, you have to walk 3 minutes fast. So fast that it becomes difficult to talk, then a walk has to be done 3 minutes slow. Have to walk very comfortably. This cycle is repeated for 30 minutes. Do this 4 days a week and in a few months you may see such changes that would not have been done by walking 10,000 steps.
Proven from years of research
This is just no trending advice on social media. According to the Washington Post, this technique was first tried in a study in 2007 under the leadership of Hiroshi Noz and Shinju Masuk. Two groups were formed in this study. One did interval walking. The second normal normal speed. As a result, the blood pressure in the interval walking group decreased, the thigh muscles strengthened and the capacity of the heart and lungs improved. More studies between 2020 and 2024 proved it. People suffering from the elderly and type 2 diabetes also got great results of interval walking training. Interval walking training improves cholesterol, reduced BMI, increased body flexibility, improved sleep, improving mental state and symptoms of depression also decreased.
Why is it better than normal walking?
The advice like 10,000 steps is focused on distance and time but IWT pays attention to intensity. By controlling intensity, the heart, muscles and lungs remain active and then they also get the time of recourse. This push and positive method makes interval training effective. According to the report, people who try to walk for 30 minutes continuously, find it difficult. But when it is divided into 3 minutes of parts, they do it easily. That is, this method is practical to adopt for a long time.
For this, just a pair of comfortable shoes and 30 minutes time. Walk 3 minutes fast (so that it becomes difficult to interact). Walk 3 minutes slow (comfortably) and repeat this process 5 times i.e. walk 30 minutes a total of 30 minutes. If it seems difficult in the beginning, then increase it slowly 2-3 times. Change sharp and slow pace between road poles or trees. Use music in which the tempo changes. You can set a simple timer in the phone. If you start recovering from fast stages, then understand that your fitness is getting better.
For whom is it beneficial?
This walking style is particularly beneficial for middle age or elderly. This will help a lot for people struggling with diabetes, high blood pressure, or early heart problems. At the same time, there will be no money in it. There is no need to go to the gym in this.
In many cases yes it is more effective than 10 thousand steps. 10,000 steps are a good rule but more health benefits are in less than IWT. Japanese scientists saw that in just 5 months the participants started getting health benefits, that too changed the whole lifestyle. If you walk on the treadmill daily and still do not change blood pressure, stamina or weight, then this is the opportunity to adopt smart walking. This interval walking technology of Japan is not a trend. It is a great habit of getting more benefit in less hard work, scientifically certified and busy routine. It challenges the 10,000 steps rule with data, research and practicality and also succeeds.