Barefoot Cobblestone Walking Lowers Blood Pressure
The ancient Chinese practice of walking barefoot on paths made of river stones is good for health in more ways than one. Researchers from Oregon Research Institute, motivated to identify low-cost forms of exercise to improve functioning in older adults, found that cobblestone mat walking not only improved balance and mobility but also reduced blood pressure more than regular walking,
Investigators studied the benefits of cobblestone walking compared to regular walking, in addition to weekly group exercise sessions, in a group of 108 inactive older adults aged 60โ92 years. Participants were randomly assigned to either a regular walking group or a cobblestone mat walking group. Each group walked for 30 minutes at least three times per week in addition to taking a 60-minute group exercise session three times per week over a 16-week period.
Why cobblestone walking lowers blood pressure is unclear. One possibility is that it acts like a gravity-based massage that relaxes the body and lowers blood pressure in the process, according to John Fisher, PhD, one of the researchers (October 2005 Harvard Heart Letter).
While the outcome was positive for cobblestone walking, the study authors noted that their research had some limitations. The study lacked strength measurements. Also, assessors knew the identity of each participantโs group, which may have contributed to outcome bias. This lack of blinding, however, was offset by other factors: Assessors didnโt know either previous assessment scores or the study hypothesis, and assessments were based on standardized and validated objective performance evaluations. More research was recommended.
The study appeared in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (2005; [53] 8, 1305โ12).
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.