Movement of the body, including walking and running, kept blood flowing, supported the heart and benefited bodily functions as a whole. Walking, a cardiovascular exercise, increased oxygen intake and supported circulation.
Whether for fresh air, traveling between classes or meeting step goals, walking benefited the body in many ways. These benefits appeared in the routines of individuals who prioritized cardiovascular activities.
Dr. Deogratius Mshigeni, associate professor of sociology, consistently prioritized time for cardiovascular activities and started his day between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.
“The majority of time, by like 4:30 you know, I’m already up, my devotion and then either go for a run, or do the gym, LA Fitness in the morning,” Mshigeni said.
Mshigeni typically went to the gym five days a week when he felt good. Otherwise, he went three to four times a week. After his workout, he added more steps by walking on a trail or running.
“A goal like always has always been this myth about 10,000 steps a day, but I’m not sure how effective that is. I really try to be active. That’s the most important part,” Mshigeni said.
Getting his steps in taught him the value of energy balance and the need for mental stability.
“If I don’t do it, I think I’d be depressed,” Mshigeni said.
While walking supported health, it also provided a break from devices and a time for reflection and peace.
Brian Masila, freshman accounting major, often took many steps around campus. In his free time, he used his hour breaks to get fresh air.
“Yeah, I have a lot of breaks too, on my days, so, like during my classes, I usually get an hour break,” Masila said.
During his schedule, he walked from the Recreation Center to the Health Science campus to attend classes and go to the gym. As a result, he stayed hydrated each day.
“I drink a lot of water, usually because I get thirsty and because of walking a lot,” Masila said.
Although he considered using transportation instead of walking, he acknowledged that walking benefited his body more.
Someyeong Kim, freshman applied statistics and Christian studies double major, is taking18 units this semester, which made him less active than in previous semesters. Still, Kim maintained free time within his schedule.
Last semester, Kim walked frequently and arranged his classes and routine close to his dorm in Smith to avoid going back and forth.
“But so in this semester, I chose every class [near Colony,]” Kim said.
In general, Kim preferred transportation over walking despite knowing the benefits of regular movement. However, he spent time running on the treadmill.
At the Recreation Center, he spent about five minutes at a time on the treadmill to keep his heart rate up. Although he did not typically drink a lot of water, he made sure to hydrate when needed.
“Yeah, I usually don’t drink too much water, but every time I walk or run, or in the gym doing something, I need a lot of water,” Kim said.
Like any other exercise, walking and staying active remained important. As walking engaged many parts of the body, it also supported long-term oxygen and brain health. Whether people used a scooter, ran or walked, staying mobile and consistently supporting the body brought many benefits.
