PEOPLE who walk slowly may be nearly four times more likely to die from coronavirus, and more than twice as likely to get a bad contraction of Covid-19, researchers say.
Those who walk slowly and are normal weight could be nearly 2.5 times more likely to develop a bad Covid-19 and 3.75 times more likely to die from the virus than fast walkers with normal weight, who according to a new study.
Walking was considered slow at less than three miles per hour, steady / average speeds of three to four miles per hour, or fast at more than four miles per hour.
A study of 412,596 UK Biobank middle-aged participants examined the relative association of body mass index (BMI) and self-reported walking speed with the risk of developing poor Covid-19 contracture and mortality.
Lead researcher Tom Yates, professor of physical activity, quiet behavior and health at the University of Leicester, said: “We already know that obesity and weakness are key risk factors for Covid-19 results.
“This is the first study to show that slow-moving walkers have a much higher risk of developing Covid-19 side effects, regardless of weight.
“With the epidemic placing unprecedented pressure on health care services and communities, it is vital that those most at risk are identified and protective measures are taken to protect them.”
According to the research, published in the International Journal of Obesity, slow walkers with normal weight are at risk of both serious disease and death than fast walkers with obesity. Slow walkers with normal weight and slow walkers with obesity were at high risk.
“Fast walkers have been shown to generally improve good cardiovascular and heart health, making them more stable for external weightlifters,” said Dr. Yates.