Blue Zone Your Memory No 13: Walking and Memory

Walking and Memory We know exercise is good for our functional fitness and improves most bodily functions. Recent research also ties walking to the reduction of memory related disorders. According to the American Academy of Neurology, walking at least six miles a week may cut this risk in half, You can follow this research at http://www.aan.com/press/index.cfm?fuseaction=release.view&release=870. All walking counts, so how do you know if you are actually walking six miles a week? You can use these math facts, one mile = 5280 feet and on average people take 2000 steps per mile depending on their individual stride distance. You can use this average or for a more accurate assessment you can use the stride distance calculation by measuring a distance of 50 feet, and walking and counting your steps for this distance using your normal pace. Then divide 50 by the number of steps counted and that is your stride length. Then divide 5280 by your stride length to determine your average steps per mile.