Whether we’re going out shopping at Orchard Road, or hiking up Bukit Timah Hill, we’ll be walking. A lot. It's one of the simplest, most accessible ways to stay active, with a multitude of health benefits, including improved heart, lung and mental health.
But, did you know there’s actually the “correct” way to walk? It might seem odd since so natural to just put one foot in front of the other and just... walk. However, there is indeed a "right" way to do it.
Dr Kannan Kaliyaperumal, orthopedic specialist at Parkway East Hospital, defines the correct walking posture, and shares how you can improve your walking technique to optimise the benefits and avoid injuries.
Benefits of walking good
Achieve these health benefits by incorporating warm ups and cool down routines before and after a walk, coupled with adopting a good walking technique and good posture.
Head to toe, we will show you how to walk properly. With practice, you’ll master the technique!
Risks of walking with improper technique and form
Did you know? The common issues you may face from not walking properly are lower back strain, neck pain and/or headaches.
Here is what you should stop doing to keep your form and posture in check:
Stop hyperextending your knee
Take shorter steps instead of longer strides to prevent your knee joint from straightening past its normal range of motion as it can lead to lower back strain, neck pain and headaches.
Stop extending your neck forward
Prolonged forward neck extension for a long period of time, may cause inflammation, pain and swelling. Additionally, it may also contribute to the development of tension headaches.
Stop looking down as you walk
Straighten your shoulder to avoid straining on your neck and back.
Master the art of walking!
While you might assume that walking is straightforward, maintaining the correct walking posture is not that simple. So, it’s important to have the correct walking posture that can really benefit your health!