Health
Related: About this forumIt Sounds Crazy, But Walking Backwards Is Really, Really Good For You
Yet walking is more complicated than many of us realize. Remaining upright requires coordination between our visual, vestibular (sensations linked to movements such as twisting, spinning or moving fast) and proprioceptive (awareness of where our bodies are in space) systems.
When we walk backwards, it takes longer for our brains to process the extra demands of coordinating these systems. However, this increased level of challenge brings with it increased health benefits.
https://www.sciencealert.com/it-sounds-crazy-but-walking-backwards-is-really-really-good-for-you
Good article, tips on getting started if you have balance or mobility issues. I tried it, of coures, and walked across the room with no problem, kilogram of titanium in my right leg and all. Guess my brain meat is still functioning.
hlthe2b
(106,340 posts)woodsprite
(12,201 posts)They actually had me do that on a treadmill as part of my warm-up when Ive done PT for my knee. The worst? Mounting and using the stair stepper backwards!
Response to Warpy (Original post)
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Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)Sounds interesting.
LiberalArkie
(16,500 posts)LisaM
(28,599 posts)It relieves the tedium, too, since I choose intervals where I go backwards instead of forward. Interestingly, those intervals always seem shorter.
WestMichRad
(1,810 posts)for you than walking on a smooth track. The uneven nature of a trail forces the brain to be more involved as you naturally make small adjustments to the varying terrain.
nuxvomica
(12,877 posts)And if you ever saw The King and I, he was in pretty good shape. Probably a good coordination exercise for people like actors and dancers, whose bodies are their instruments.
watched football players run backwards and am amazed they can do that without running into someone. I am in my sixties with bad arthritis in my feet, so I wont be running backwards, but I may try walking backwards holding on to something though in the beginning for safety.
multigraincracker
(34,075 posts)I find out about muscles I never knew I had. I do it on a track without others on it to be safe. Youll get one hell of a workout, even at a very slow pace.
womanofthehills
(9,265 posts)And many gyms have incorporated walking backwards pulling carts with weights into their routine.
I do it down my driveway- try to get in 100 steps a day . Patricks Knee Ability Zero has great knee exercises with photos. At his gym in Austin he said he has lots of classes for seniors to help them avoid knee surgery.