Walking faster than hiking now... What foods are good to eat at this time?

Low injury risk and okay even as you age... "Walking is definitely the best"

In 2019, both men and women over 40 ranked hiking as their top hobby, but its popularity has been steadily declining. Especially among women, hiking (5%) lagged behind walking (20%), as well as yoga (8%) and swimming (6%). Aerobic exercises that have a low risk of injury and can be done into old age are gaining attention. As measuring steps with smartphones has become easier, it also serves as motivation. On the other hand, 12% of men and 22% of women are reported to have no particular favorite exercise.

Injuring your joints can cause lifelong suffering... "Safety is the most important in middle-aged exercise"

More and more people over middle age are choosing 'safe' exercise. This seems to be because many people are damaging their health through excessive exercise. When hiking, be sure to prepare two sticks to protect your knee joints. Especially on downhill slopes, overexertion can injure your knee joints and cause lifelong suffering. Even with gym workouts, it is safe to do after carefully monitoring high blood pressure and cardiovascular health. The popularity of swimming, which is good for joints, appears to be influenced by the emphasis on 'safe exercise.'

Walking that goes beyond casual strolling... How to walk to maximize exercise benefits?

Walking should go beyond casual strolling and aim to increase exercise effectiveness. Try interval walking, which involves alternating between brisk walking and slow walking at a level that feels like an alarm. You may start sweating quickly. Interval walking, a type of interval training, involves repeating intense exercise with incomplete rest, and is a popular method among professional athletes to improve stamina. It results in fewer knee injuries compared to running and can significantly enhance workout benefits.

Eating a banana... contributes to protecting leg muscles and preventing cramps

If you plan to walk quickly, eat a banana beforehand. It helps protect leg muscles and prevents cramps. Bananas are rich in magnesium, which prevents muscle cramps and are popular among athletes. High-quality carbohydrates are effective for generating energy. Eating a banana after brisk walking helps relax muscles by providing magnesium and potassium, enhancing the relaxing effect. Golf players sometimes eat bananas during matches. It also helps reduce hunger during exercise, providing a two-in-one benefit.