TikTok is not always a reliable source of health information. However, health experts also agree that walking backwards is beneficial.
Walking backwards has actually been recommended by doctors for decades, notes physical therapist Christine Holk of Atlantic Sports Health in New Jersey. This type of walking is especially beneficial for the elderly who suffer from joint pain. Other experts say that regardless of age, this method of walking helps strengthen the lower body.
Walking backwards helps use different muscle groups compared to normal walking. It also reduces the pressure on the knees. When walking backwards, the muscles in the front of the thigh (quadriceps) begin to work even stronger. As a result, people’s knee pain may decrease, and the same applies to muscle tension. More importantly, this type of walking reduces pressure on the inside of the knee, where many older people develop arthritis.
Moving backwards will also strengthen your hip muscles, stretch your hip flexors (a group of muscles involved in maintaining posture, balance, and stabilizing the lower spine), and improve your ability to sense your body’s position in space. Walking backwards forces you to constantly think about where you’re going, so your brain has to gather more information about the outside world than usual.
News materials cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.
Source: Ferra
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