Walking Advice from a Professional Racewalker

Okay, so maybe you’re not a veteran racewalker like Mark Fenton, host of the PBS series America’s Walking. But just about everyone can benefit from regular exercise like walking because it can improve your wellness and happiness. Taking short, regular walks can increase leg strength and can be therapeutic for problems like spasticity and poor balance. Better yet, it can help reduce stress. As with any exercise, get the go-ahead from your doctor first. Here are a few tips to help make every step count:

• Start slowly with short distances and work your way up gradually. Mark suggests adding a minute to your walk or changing your terrain slightly every second or third week

• Want to walk more? Walking and talking with a friend will help keep you motivated

• Pay attention to your breathing. Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth will help you keep your pace and can help your lungs process oxygen more

• Good posture prevents postwalk aches and pains and helps you move faster. Mark recommends trying to keep your neck, upper back, and shoulder muscles upright and relaxed

• Look ahead. Keeping your head upright improves your posture—and gives you a better view of the scenery

Thinking about your feet can also be helpful. Everyone loves sneakers, but the soles can catch and stick. For smoother walking, ask a shoemaker to put low-friction toe caps on your sneakers—and your dress shoes, too. Your shoes can tell you and your doctor a lot. Scuffing patterns show if your big toes aren’t coming up high enough when you’re walking, or may indicate if one of your legs is weaker than the other. If you notice this, talk to your MS specialist. Note: This website may contain general medical and health information. Such information is provided for informational purposes, the site sponsor does not claim to be an expert in these categories. Patients should always consult with a doctor or other healthcare professionals for medical advice.