Study hiking is healthier than expected

Positive health efficacy of hiking through a study scientifically proven

04/30/2012

Hiking has long been considered a healthy form of movement that can also be exercised by people whose physique does not permit more strenuous physical activity. The concept of health hiking, which has been certified by the German Hiking Association (DWV), has now been scientifically tested by Professor Kuno Hottenrott of the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg and his team. Health migration therefore has a positive impact on the entire organism, it significantly reduces body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and body fat, the German Hiking Association reports the results of the study. In addition, the „Endurance performance and coordination skills improved“, the association continues in its current press release.

Concept of health hiking scientifically studied
Researchers led by Professor Kuno Hottenrott from the Institute for Performance Diagnostics and Health Promotion at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany, put the concept of health wandering to the test by running a group of 18 professionals twice a week for seven weeks sent for hiking. At the beginning of the study period and after completion of the trial phase, a thorough health examination of the subjects took place. The development of health was compared with the data of a 16-person control group that had not migrated. The average age of study participants was 53.6 years.

More than just hiking
About two years ago, the German Hiking Association and experts in the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück jointly developed the concept of healthy walking. When hiking the hikers, the hikers are accompanied by a certified guide who not only gives them general health tips during the hike, but also completes various physiotherapeutic exercises with the participants. Twice the 90-minute walks are interrupted for appropriate exercise exercises, for example, the participants stand on one leg or loosen their shoulder muscles. Progressive muscle relaxation also plays a role in health migration, as does short-term increases in walking speed. During the hike, the participants in the current study, depending on the terrain distance between 3.7 and 5.6 kilometers back.

Health hiking has many positive effects
Researching health-related parameters, physical performance and general well-being after seven weeks of wanderings, the researchers found that the active group experienced a marked improvement in all areas. „Endurance, coordination, blood pressure and body-related data were positively influenced by walking“, DWV reports in its current press release on the results of the study on health hiking. Accordingly, the BMI (relation between body weight and height) has fallen significantly in the health walkers and „the body weight decreased significantly.“ On average, health wandering over the trial period of seven weeks resulted in a weight loss of 1.3 kilograms (from 91.8 kilograms average weight to 90.5 kilograms). According to the researchers, the reduction in blood pressure in the walking group, which according to Professor Hottenrott was so clearly unexpected, was particularly noticeable. „The systolic value fell on average from 151 to 142, the diastolic value from 92 to 84. This change has positive effects on health“, explained the expert.

Recognition of the health walk through the health insurance companies
In view of the current study results, Professor Hottenrott was convinced of the positive effect of the migration to health and emphasized that „the walks a really successful intervention“ are. The study also shows that health-wandering courses meet the core objective of the prevention principle „Reduction of physical inactivity due to sports activity“ Paragraph 20 of SGB V and therefore should be taken into account in all health insurance, added the CEO of the German Hiking Association, Ute Dicks Some statutory health insurance had already granted their insured a bonus in the past, if they completed the German Wanderabzeichen. Now, the managing director of the German Hiking Association hopes in talks with the Central Association of Statutory Health Insurance a fundamental of the recognition of the certified health walk as a primary prevention service in accordance § 20 SGB V reach. (Fp)

Read about Hiking:
By hiking bonus with the health insurance companies
Sports against back pain
Fast walking increases life expectancy

Peter Friday