The weather may keep some people from participating in NationalWalk to Work Day, but a Ball State professor says today isn't theonly day to break out your walking shoes.
Physical education professor Leonard Kaminsky, who coordinatesthe adult physical fitness program, said he hopes people who aredeterred by the weather will get out and walk when it getswarmer.
"It certainly would benefit a lot of people if they give it atry," Kaminsky said.
National Walk to Work Day is a joint effort of Preventionmagazine, America on the Move, the American Podiatric MedicalAssociation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.The goal is to get more Americans to make walking a part of theirlives.
Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, says onPrevention's Web Site, "The science continues to show that walkingjust 30 minutes a day can have a real, positive effect on yourhealth."
Kaminsky said people have a misconception that unless they exertthemselves for long periods of time they don't receive any benefitsfrom exercise.
"Even small bouts of physical activity, if done on a regularbasis, can be beneficial," Kaminsky said.
Walking 30 minutes a day can burn 150-250 calories per day,Kaminsky said. And while that might not sound like much, he said,it becomes a significant amount if people do it every day for ayear.
However, Kaminsky said eliminating exercise from a person'sroutine often leads to obesity. He said that that is a trap thatmany Americans are falling into.
"The statistics that we know are that a minority of ourpopulation exercises," Kaminsky said. "Less than half of ourpopulation is regularly active."
Kaminsky said the busy lives Americans lead has caused them tolose touch with ways to be active. He said he would encouragepeople to do little things like taking the stairs instead ofelevators and walking to lunch instead of driving.
"You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to get benefits out ofphysical activity," Kaminsky said.
As for National Walk to Work Day, Kaminsky said he doesn't knowhow many people will participate.
"If we would have had a warmer week, I think we would have abetter turnout."
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