Walking May Be More Effective When Combined With Strength Training, Other Activities

Walking is the most popular physical activity in the U.S., but experts say this might not be enough to maintain fitness levels. Image Credit: Luke Mattson/Stocksy Researchers report that walking is the most popular leisure activity in the United States. They note urban dwellers also like to run and lift weights, while rural residents also enjoy gardening and hunting. Experts say those activities may not be enough for some people to maintain a higher fitness level, so additional exercise may be needed. Walking is the most popular leisure activity in the United States among both urban and rural residents, according to a new survey. Researchers reported that urban dwellers also tend to engage in running, weightlifting, and dance, while people in rural areas also enjoy gardening, hunting, and fishing. The researchers said the differences in leisure activity choices could reflect what people have access to or what is culturally supported in certain areas. They added that urban residents were more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than people living in rural regions. The researchers, however, noted that even among walkers, only 25% met combined guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity. About 22% did not meet either guideline. The researchers reached their conclusions by analyzing telephone survey data collected from a national sample of 396,261 U.S. adults in 2019. They reported that 44% of respondents listed walking as the activity they spent the most time doing. The data closely matched another U.S. study from 2011. The new findings were published today in the journal PLOS One. How to encourage walking and other exercise The researchers said they hoped their study could help boost physical activity by encouraging people, as well as medical and fitness professionals, to tailor workouts to certain regions and demographics. “We see a need to continue to support our partners in small towns and rural places by creating physical, social, and