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See Again
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0 / 28 Fotos
It uses a different muscle group
- When you're walking for a long period of time, you'll probably notice that you can feel the "burn" in multiple areas of your body at the same time. This is because walking works on several muscles in the body.
© Shutterstock
1 / 28 Fotos
It uses a different muscle group
- Like forward walking, backward walking also works on various leg muscles throughout the body, including some that aren't utilized as often with forward walking.
© Shutterstock
2 / 28 Fotos
It can improve cognitive function
- For most people, forward walking doesn't require too much thought, since we do it every day.
© Shutterstock
3 / 28 Fotos
It can improve cognitive function
- However, backward walking forces you to pay closer attention to your body movements and may help increase body awareness.
© Shutterstock
4 / 28 Fotos
It can improve cognitive function
- In turn, backward walking may help improve focus and overall body consciousness.
© Shutterstock
5 / 28 Fotos
It may reduce knee pain
- Another benefit of walking backward is that it may help reduce knee pain by improving mobility.
© Shutterstock
6 / 28 Fotos
It may reduce knee pain
- A study by the Journal of Healthcare Engineering found backward walking is a helpful strategy for reducing mild-to-moderate knee pain in otherwise healthy individuals.
© Shutterstock
7 / 28 Fotos
It may reduce knee pain
- Also, a study conducted on a group of people with knee osteoarthritis found that backward walking may help reduce knee pain. This study found that backward walking combined with conventional treatment methods was a more effective course of action than conventional treatment alone.
© Shutterstock
8 / 28 Fotos
It speeds up the body's metabolism
- Why walk forward when you can walk backwards and burn more calories simultaneously? That's right, walking backwards can speed up the body's metabolism!
© Shutterstock
9 / 28 Fotos
It speeds up the body's metabolism
- When you walk forwards, your body can preserve energy by using the momentum from your forward motion. But when you walk backwards, your body works harder to reverse the momentum.
© Shutterstock
10 / 28 Fotos
It speeds up the body's metabolism
- As a result, walking backwards requires more energy and burns more calories.
© Shutterstock
11 / 28 Fotos
It strengthens the quadriceps muscle
- Another benefit of walking backward is that it may help strengthen your quadriceps muscle, or your quads.
© Shutterstock
12 / 28 Fotos
It strengthens the quadriceps muscle
- Located at the front of the thigh, the quadriceps muscle is essential for full physical recovery, as well as the mobility of the legs and knees.
© Shutterstock
13 / 28 Fotos
It strengthens the quadriceps muscle
- One study found that after six weeks of backward walking exercise, participants saw a massive improvement in quadriceps muscle strength.
© Shutterstock
14 / 28 Fotos
It may improve cardiorespiratory fitness
- Cardiorespiratory health is essential, as both the heart and the lungs work together to ensure that enough oxygen-rich blood is produced to keep the body properly functioning.
© Shutterstock
15 / 28 Fotos
It may improve cardiorespiratory fitness
- Walking in general is a well-known way to get in more cardio. When it comes to backward walking, this form of cardio may be particularly beneficial because it may require more energy than forward walking.
© Shutterstock
16 / 28 Fotos
It may improve cardiorespiratory fitness
- One study found that backward walking was a beneficial way of maintaining or even improving cardiorespiratory health, specifically for patients undergoing rehabilitation.
© Shutterstock
17 / 28 Fotos
It may support better balance
- Backward walking may also support better balance, especially for those recovering from an illness or injury.
© Shutterstock
18 / 28 Fotos
It may support better balance
- A 2016 study found that engaging in backward walking can have more positive effects on mobility and balance compared to regular, forward walking.
© Shutterstock
19 / 28 Fotos
It may support better balance
- Researchers also found a significant improvement in gait, meaning one's natural walking pattern.
© Shutterstock
20 / 28 Fotos
It increases energy levels
- As walking backwards forces your body to utilize different muscle groups, it can lead to improved blood circulation and a higher level of oxygen in the blood.
© Shutterstock
21 / 28 Fotos
It increases energy levels
- As a result, this can all give you an extra burst of energy.
© Shutterstock
22 / 28 Fotos
It increases energy levels
- Also, as your body adapts to this new movement, you may find that your overall energy levels begin to improve.
© Shutterstock
23 / 28 Fotos
It adds variety to your training
- And if you're getting bored with your usual walking routine, walking backwards is a fun and healthy way to mix things up. As a result, you can stay more motivated and show up for your next workout.
© Shutterstock
24 / 28 Fotos
It adds variety to your training
- As backward walking uses different muscles, it helps improve your overall muscle tone and prevent injuries related to weak muscles or bones.
© Shutterstock
25 / 28 Fotos
How to get started with backward walking
- Backward walking is best done on a treadmill with professional supervision. Also, be sure to wear comfortable and protective shoes.
© Shutterstock
26 / 28 Fotos
Safety precautions when walking backwards
- Seek guidance from a physical therapist or personal trainer to determine if backward walking is right for you. Sources: (CNN) (Healthline) See also: The health benefits of walking
© Shutterstock
27 / 28 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 28 Fotos
It uses a different muscle group
- When you're walking for a long period of time, you'll probably notice that you can feel the "burn" in multiple areas of your body at the same time. This is because walking works on several muscles in the body.
© Shutterstock
1 / 28 Fotos
It uses a different muscle group
- Like forward walking, backward walking also works on various leg muscles throughout the body, including some that aren't utilized as often with forward walking.
© Shutterstock
2 / 28 Fotos
It can improve cognitive function
- For most people, forward walking doesn't require too much thought, since we do it every day.
© Shutterstock
3 / 28 Fotos
It can improve cognitive function
- However, backward walking forces you to pay closer attention to your body movements and may help increase body awareness.
© Shutterstock
4 / 28 Fotos
It can improve cognitive function
- In turn, backward walking may help improve focus and overall body consciousness.
© Shutterstock
5 / 28 Fotos
It may reduce knee pain
- Another benefit of walking backward is that it may help reduce knee pain by improving mobility.
© Shutterstock
6 / 28 Fotos
It may reduce knee pain
- A study by the Journal of Healthcare Engineering found backward walking is a helpful strategy for reducing mild-to-moderate knee pain in otherwise healthy individuals.
© Shutterstock
7 / 28 Fotos
It may reduce knee pain
- Also, a study conducted on a group of people with knee osteoarthritis found that backward walking may help reduce knee pain. This study found that backward walking combined with conventional treatment methods was a more effective course of action than conventional treatment alone.
© Shutterstock
8 / 28 Fotos
It speeds up the body's metabolism
- Why walk forward when you can walk backwards and burn more calories simultaneously? That's right, walking backwards can speed up the body's metabolism!
© Shutterstock
9 / 28 Fotos
It speeds up the body's metabolism
- When you walk forwards, your body can preserve energy by using the momentum from your forward motion. But when you walk backwards, your body works harder to reverse the momentum.
© Shutterstock
10 / 28 Fotos
It speeds up the body's metabolism
- As a result, walking backwards requires more energy and burns more calories.
© Shutterstock
11 / 28 Fotos
It strengthens the quadriceps muscle
- Another benefit of walking backward is that it may help strengthen your quadriceps muscle, or your quads.
© Shutterstock
12 / 28 Fotos
It strengthens the quadriceps muscle
- Located at the front of the thigh, the quadriceps muscle is essential for full physical recovery, as well as the mobility of the legs and knees.
© Shutterstock
13 / 28 Fotos
It strengthens the quadriceps muscle
- One study found that after six weeks of backward walking exercise, participants saw a massive improvement in quadriceps muscle strength.
© Shutterstock
14 / 28 Fotos
It may improve cardiorespiratory fitness
- Cardiorespiratory health is essential, as both the heart and the lungs work together to ensure that enough oxygen-rich blood is produced to keep the body properly functioning.
© Shutterstock
15 / 28 Fotos
It may improve cardiorespiratory fitness
- Walking in general is a well-known way to get in more cardio. When it comes to backward walking, this form of cardio may be particularly beneficial because it may require more energy than forward walking.
© Shutterstock
16 / 28 Fotos
It may improve cardiorespiratory fitness
- One study found that backward walking was a beneficial way of maintaining or even improving cardiorespiratory health, specifically for patients undergoing rehabilitation.
© Shutterstock
17 / 28 Fotos
It may support better balance
- Backward walking may also support better balance, especially for those recovering from an illness or injury.
© Shutterstock
18 / 28 Fotos
It may support better balance
- A 2016 study found that engaging in backward walking can have more positive effects on mobility and balance compared to regular, forward walking.
© Shutterstock
19 / 28 Fotos
It may support better balance
- Researchers also found a significant improvement in gait, meaning one's natural walking pattern.
© Shutterstock
20 / 28 Fotos
It increases energy levels
- As walking backwards forces your body to utilize different muscle groups, it can lead to improved blood circulation and a higher level of oxygen in the blood.
© Shutterstock
21 / 28 Fotos
It increases energy levels
- As a result, this can all give you an extra burst of energy.
© Shutterstock
22 / 28 Fotos
It increases energy levels
- Also, as your body adapts to this new movement, you may find that your overall energy levels begin to improve.
© Shutterstock
23 / 28 Fotos
It adds variety to your training
- And if you're getting bored with your usual walking routine, walking backwards is a fun and healthy way to mix things up. As a result, you can stay more motivated and show up for your next workout.
© Shutterstock
24 / 28 Fotos
It adds variety to your training
- As backward walking uses different muscles, it helps improve your overall muscle tone and prevent injuries related to weak muscles or bones.
© Shutterstock
25 / 28 Fotos
How to get started with backward walking
- Backward walking is best done on a treadmill with professional supervision. Also, be sure to wear comfortable and protective shoes.
© Shutterstock
26 / 28 Fotos
Safety precautions when walking backwards
- Seek guidance from a physical therapist or personal trainer to determine if backward walking is right for you. Sources: (CNN) (Healthline) See also: The health benefits of walking
© Shutterstock
27 / 28 Fotos
The surprising benefits of walking backwards
Discover the advantages for the body and mind
© Shutterstock
For years, backward walking, also known as retro walking, has been a widely used technique among athletes, with many arguing that its benefits greatly outweigh regular, forward walking. One study from 2021 even found that participants who walked backwards on a treadmill for 30 minutes during four weeks increased their balance, walking pace, and cardiopulmonary fitness.
So if you're bored with the same old fitness routine, why not try some backward walking? Click on to discover its surprising benefits.
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