Sung Dong-il, as he gets older, performs 'this exercise' 27 km every day... How effective is it?

Actor Sung Dong-il (60) revealed that he walks an average of 14 km every day. What health benefits does a daily walking habit like Sung Dong-il's provide?

Walking is an aerobic exercise that can be easily done anytime and anywhere without any special equipment. Aerobic exercise is effective for weight loss because it uses the food consumed as an energy source instead of storing it as abdominal fat. In particular, walking on an empty stomach can enhance the weight loss effect. During exercise, carbohydrates and fats are burned together, but on an empty stomach, blood glucose levels are low, so the body mainly burns stored body fat.

Walking exercise is also good for preventing type 2 diabetes. Walking influences the secretion of appetite-regulating hormones, thereby controlling hunger. A research team from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark conducted an experiment with about 1,300 adults, having them perform moderate-intensity walking for 30 minutes. As a result, the secretion of the hormone GLP-1, which suppresses appetite and stimulates insulin production to lower blood sugar levels, increased. GLP-1 promotes insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon secretion, thereby lowering blood sugar.

Intense walking affects the brain's thalamus-hypothalamus-pituitary axis. As a result, testosterone secretion increases, helping to maintain muscle mass. This is especially beneficial for middle-aged and older adults concerned about sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass that occurs with aging. Having sufficient muscle mass is essential for maintaining joint balance and stability, thereby preventing ligament injuries, fractures, and falls.

However, people with weak joint cartilage should avoid excessive walking. Joint cartilage acts as a cushion that absorbs shocks to the bones, but walking quickly or walking excessively for a long time can continuously put stress on the cartilage.