HEALTH

WALKING is better than cycling for the brain, because striking the ground boosts blood flow.

A stroll is often seen as gentler exercise than a long bike ride.

But as your foot hits the ground, each step sends backward-flowing pressure waves up the arteries, which boost the brain’s blood circulation.

This makes walking better for cerebral blood flow than cycling.

It follows numerous studies showing walking can prevent Alzheimer’s disease, which has been linked with reduced blood flow in part of the brain. Researchers at New Mexico Highlands University say a stroll not only boosts brain function, but may make exercise more enjoyable.

Lead researcher Dr Ernest Greene said: ‘What is surprising is that it took so long for us to finally measure these obvious hydraulic effects on cerebral blood flow.’

The scientists took ultrasounds from 12 healthy adults as they stood upright or walked steadily at a rate of a metre per second.

This calculated the speed of blood flow through vessels including the carotid artery to both sides of the brain. Plodding feet sent pressure waves through the arteries, which modify and increase the brain’s blood supply.

The waves were found to synchronise with the heart rate and stride rate to regulate blood circulation to the brain. While the effect was less dramatic than when running, it was greater than when cycling.

The results, presented to a meeting of the American Physiological Society, show that the brain, as well as the heart and muscles, benefits from going for a walk.

The NHS advises people to take 10,000 steps a day to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and asthma.

Appendage:

Some of the benefits of walking.