MIND + BODY
Story by Star Diavolikis Photo by Dylan Hanson Design by Thong Lam & Katie Jo Stewart After sitting at your computer all morning in meetings and zoom classes you are craving some time away from the screen and on your feet. You want to find ways to get more active now that you’re spending more and more time sitting down throughout the day. But being active doesn’t always mean taking the time to go to the gym. Depending on your schedule, lifestyle or preferences, you may not have the time to go to the gym every day. But you don’t have to run on a treadmill or lift weights each day in order to make an effort to start moving. Working in something as simple as a walk into your day could be a huge game changer.
THE BENEFITS OF WALKING Walking can be a good way to get your body moving, depending on what your goals are. Brian McGladrey, associate professor and co-chair in the Department of Sport & Movement Studies, explains the specific benefits of walking compared to other activities. Differences can start by seeing if the activity is either labeled as physical activity or exercise. “Physical activity is bodily movement that results in a caloric expenditure above a base rate,” McGladrey says. “Whereas exercise is defined as strategic planned activities and intended to address measures of aerobic capacity, muscular strength, flexibility.” He goes on to say that the transition from just sitting in a chair, to walking, to running increases the caloric expenditure, which helps keep body weight consistent. 20
SPRING 2022
