#Briskwalking

A new large-scale study suggests that just 15 minutes of brisk walking daily can lower the risk of death by 19%, offering a simple, accessible way for people of all income levels to boost health and longevity. Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the research draws a clear link between fast-paced walking and reduced mortality–even when other lifestyle factors like diet, smoking, and general physical activity are considered. Its findings have vital implications for Thailand, where large segments of the population may face barriers to structured exercise or lack access to expensive gyms and fitness spaces.

Along Bangkok’s increasingly congested sidewalks and within Thailand’s rural villages where morning markets bustle with daily commerce, a simple activity practiced by millions holds the key to dramatically reducing mortality risk and extending healthy lifespan. Groundbreaking research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that just fifteen minutes of brisk walking daily can lower death risk by 19%—offering accessible, cost-effective health transformation for Thai communities regardless of economic circumstances or geographic location.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that not only how much you walk, but also how you walk, can deliver powerful benefits for physical and mental health—potentially adding years to your life (ScienceAlert). This new research is overturning popular perceptions about walking, suggesting that the speed and style of your strides may be as important as the number of steps you take.

For decades, Thais have embraced advice to walk 10,000 steps per day, with well-meaning families filling city parks in the early morning and seniors making laps around local temples. Yet, the 10,000-step rule was born not from scientific study, but from a 1960s Japanese marketing campaign for the world’s first commercial pedometer (“manpo-kei,” or “10,000 steps meter”) (ScienceAlert). Now, modern research is shifting the conversation from quantity to quality—and it couldn’t come at a better time, as Thailand faces rising rates of obesity, heart disease, and mental health challenges (Harvard Health).

New scientific research is shining a hopeful light on dementia prevention, revealing that certain types of physical activity can slash the risk of developing this debilitating condition by as much as 20%. According to the latest findings highlighted by GetSurrey, brisk walking and muscle-strengthening exercises emerged as powerful tools for keeping the mind sharp as we age.

This revelation carries immense significance for Thailand, where an ageing population and increasing rates of dementia demand effective, accessible prevention strategies. Dementia is both a personal and public health crisis, currently affecting an estimated 800,000 people in Thailand, with numbers projected to rise dramatically over the coming decades due to demographic shifts and increased life expectancy (World Health Organization, 2023). Family caregivers often carry the burden of care, and effective prevention measures can have an outsized impact on communities and the health system.