Abstract
BackgroundAlthough the elderly frequently engages in brisk walking as a form of exercise, little has been reported in the literature about the effect of brisk walking on health-related physical fitness, balance, and overall life satisfaction.ObjectivesThe purpose of this systematic review is to determine the effect of brisk walking on the elderly's health-related physical fitness, balance, and life satisfaction.DesignWe conducted a comprehensive search from the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases from January to September 2021. We selected studies through PICOS and conducted a systematic literature review according to the PRISMA guidelines.ResultsThirteen studies met all criteria; 11 were classed as low risk of bias, while two were classified as high risk of bias. Generally, brisk walking has been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and body composition. Limited evidence was presented on flexibility, muscular endurance and development and life satisfaction, and there was conflicting evidence on balance. Moreover, evidence of restriction proves that high-intensity (80–85%) brisk walking is more effective than moderate-intensity (60–75%) brisk walking on the aerobic capacity of the elderly. Furthermore, there was less research conducted on males.ConclusionBrisk walking has been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and body composition. Other outcomes (balance, flexibility, muscular endurance, and life satisfaction) and the impact of the intensity of brisk walking on the elderly should be confirmed. Therefore, there remains insufficient research on brisk walking, while single brisk walking cannot meet requirements of elderly in terms of their health-related physical fitness, balance, and life satisfaction. Future research should aim to examine the effectiveness of combining several types of exercises to promote general health in the elderly, as the World Health Organization recommends. Unintelligible FITT (frequency, intensity, time, type) principles of brisk walking training should be trenched for the results of scientific and effective physical exercise.
Highlights
As a result of the global aging trend, many countries have increased their focus on the health of the elder population (1)
This study aimed to explore whether brisk walking improves health related physical fitness, balance, and life satisfaction among the elderly
This review demonstrated the efficacy and favorable benefits of brisk walking on health-related physical fitness, balance, and life satisfaction in the elderly
Summary
As a result of the global aging trend, many countries have increased their focus on the health of the elder population (1). Walking is a low-cost, low-impact form of exercise Does it improve general health and improve QoL, but it plays a critical role in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases (5). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends ∼150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity or exercises per week to reduce the risk of death from any cause, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, site-specific cancers, type-2 diabetes, prevention of accidental falls, decreased mental health (anxiety and depression symptoms), cognitive health, and measures of adiposity (7). Walking is among the most popular physical exercises on a global scale (12) It features simple and natural movements, a moderate level of workout intensity, and a long lifespan. The elderly frequently engages in brisk walking as a form of exercise, little has been reported in the literature about the effect of brisk walking on health-related physical fitness, balance, and overall life satisfaction
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