Simple change boosts calorie burn while walking, experts say

Want to burn more calories while on a stroll? It’s a walk in the park with this simple change.

New research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst reveals that walking with an uneven stride can significantly boost your calorie burn. According to the Daily Mail, the study found that non-uniform strides play a “significant role” in increasing a person’s metabolism, the body’s calorie-burning mechanism.

Adam Grimmitt, the study author, explained, “I think it would be fair to assume that more frequent and larger variations in stride length would increase your metabolic rate while walking.”

The research team studied the kinesiology, or movement, of 18 healthy 24-year-old adults who each weighed about 155 pounds on average. The participants walked on a treadmill for five minutes using their normal stride. Next, they were instructed to alter their steps to be between 5% and 10% shorter or longer than their typical stride length. Researchers measured the participants’ carbon dioxide levels, which increase with higher metabolic activity.

The findings showed that a 2.7% increase in “step length variability” can boost metabolism by 1.7%. “Step length variability plays a modest, albeit significant role in the metabolic cost of walking,” the researchers concluded.

This simple adjustment can trigger your metabolism more effectively, allowing you to burn more calories during your walk.

Incorporating uneven strides into your walking routine can be an easy and effective way to enhance your workout without requiring extra time or equipment. By making this minor change, you can take advantage of the increased metabolic rate and boost your fitness levels.

So, next time you go for a walk, try varying your stride length. This small tweak can lead to a more effective calorie burn and a healthier lifestyle.

Re-reported from the article originally published in New York Post.