Walking or jogging is very beneficial for our body. But it is human nature that they start feeling bored very quickly while doing the same thing. Now retro walking is growing in popularity as a form of exercise because it offers a variety of health benefits.
It may sound a bit unusual or strange at first, but incorporating backward walking into your fitness routine has yielded incredible results on both a physical and mental health level. Walking backward uses different muscles than normal walking. Backward walking strengthens the quadriceps muscles, which provides relief to people with knee problems as it reduces pressure on the knee joint.
This came to the fore in research
A 2022 study published in the National Library of Medicine suggests that walking backward may also be useful for reducing knee problems. This boost can promote balance and coordination skills, since walking backward requires more concentration than going forward, helping to stimulate the cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for motor control. Let us tell you that Dr. Pal Manickam, a gastroenterologist, has shared an Instagram reel about the benefits of walking backward and how it can increase your muscular endurance.
“Walking backward forces you to take small, frequent steps, which can potentially increase endurance for your lower leg muscles,” explains Dr. Manickam. When you're walking, you have to walk fast. You can't walk fast, but it might not be a bad idea to walk carefully backward with small, frequent steps. Whether briskly walking forward or carefully walking backward, it has to be done for 150 minutes per week.
Backward walking will increase lower body strength
Along with regular walking, backward walking can increase cardiovascular fitness and lower-body strength. As this form of exercise requires more energy than normal walking, it can lead to weight loss while burning more calories. Walking backward benefits posture, promoting the natural curvature of your spine, which can be affected by slouching or bending forward in many daily activities. Walking backward improves gait and flexibility, especially for older adults who may have ST in these areas due to lack of physical activity or age-related physical decline.
Sharps the mind
As far as its mental benefits are concerned, walking backward helps stimulate brain activity and improves cognitive function. By challenging the brain to coordinate movements in a different direction, this form of walking improves neural efficiency, which leads to sharper thinking skills and better memory retention.