Lifestyle-related diseases include atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. A new study has found that Interval Walking Training may help improve fitness and reduce the incidence of lifestyle-related diseases.

Participants in the study included 679 adults with an average age of 65. They all completed 5 months of Interval Walking Training. This consisted of 5 or more sets of walking at 70% of maximum capacity for 3 minutes, then walking at 40% of maximum capacity for the next 3 minutes. The training was performed four times or more per week. Estimated peak aerobic capacity and lifestyle-related disease scores were measured at baseline and at the end of the 5-month training period.

At the end of the study, participants had increased peak aerobic capacity by an average of 14%. Lifestyle-related disease scores decreased by an average of 17%. The most significant improvements were seen for participants who performed 50 minutes per week of Interval Walking Training. Improvements plateaued beyond 50 minutes per week.

The study was conducted by researchers from Shinsu University. It was published online ahead of print on August 30, 2019 in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.