Life

Slow walkers may be more likely to die from Covid-19, study suggests

'This is the first study to show that slow walkers have a much higher risk of contracting severe Covid-19 outcomes, irrespective of their weight'
'This is the first study to show that slow walkers have a much higher risk of contracting severe Covid-19 outcomes, irrespective of their weight' 'This is the first study to show that slow walkers have a much higher risk of contracting severe Covid-19 outcomes, irrespective of their weight'

PEOPLE who walk slowly may be almost four times more likely to die from coronavirus, and be potentially more than twice at risk of contracting severe Covid-19, researchers say.

Those who walk slowly and are a normal weight could be almost 2.5 times more likely to develop severe Covid-19 and 3.75 times more likely to die from the virus than normal-weight fast walkers, according to a new study.

Slow walking was considered to be at a speed of less than three miles per hour, steady/average speed was three to four miles per hour, or brisk at more than four miles per hour.

The study of 412,596 middle-aged UK Biobank participants examined the relative association of body mass index (BMI) and self-reported walking pace with the risk of contracting severe Covid-19 and mortality.

Lead researcher Tom Yates, a professor of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health at the University of Leicester said: “We know already that obesity and frailty are key risk factors for Covid-19 outcomes.

“This is the first study to show that slow walkers have a much higher risk of contracting severe Covid-19 outcomes, irrespective of their weight.

“With the pandemic continuing to put unprecedented strain on healthcare services and communities, identifying individuals at greatest risk and taking preventative measures to protect them is crucial.”

According to the research, published in the International Journal of Obesity, normal-weight slow walkers are more at risk of both severe disease and death than fast walkers with obesity. Risk was uniformly high in normal-weight slow walkers and slow walkers with obesity.

“Fast walkers have been shown to generally have good cardiovascular and heart health, making them more resilient to external stressors," Professor Yates said.