Ask A GP: Should We All be Reading On The Treadmill?

Woman on treadmillI love a good walking trend, be it “retro walking,” “Japanese walking”, “Jeffing,” or “6-6-6″ walking. But I have to confess that the first time I saw a TikTok advising me to read on a treadmill in order to finish my book faster, I thought, “That might be a literal step too far”. To be honest, the combination sounded a little overwhelming to me. Still, it seems science may be on the side of the viral health fad.Some studies suggest that staying active can boost your creativity, while even a short walk could help you to stay more alert ― sounds like a great recipe for immersing yourself in, and enjoying, a novel, right?We asked Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, whether she’d prescribe the combo.Should we all be “treadmill walking”?“Treadmill reading is an interesting idea that may offer some benefits, but it also comes with caveats,” the GP told HuffPost UK.“Walking, even at a slow pace, has clear benefits for cardiovascular health, circulation, mood, stress reduction, and sleep. Combining light walking with reading could allow you to fit in some physical activity while engaging your mind.” But, she cautioned, pairing the two activities could prove a little overwhelming.“Reading while walking places a dual demand on your attention, as you need to focus both on the text and on maintaining your balance and posture. This can make reading less efficient and may reduce comprehension,” she stated.“There is also a small risk of strain or minor accidents if the treadmill speed is too fast or if posture is poor.” And “While light walking can boost alertness and mood,” Dr Wylie pointed out that “it does not necessarily improve focus or the ability to perform complex cognitive tasks”. How should you try treadmill walking? “In practical terms, if someone wants to try treadmill reading, it is best to keep the pace slow and steady, maintain good posture, and avoid reading at speeds or inclines that challenge balance,” Dr Wylie ended. “It should be seen as a light, optional way to stay active rather than a replacement for dedicated reading or exercise. For relaxation or mild stress relief, combining gentle movement with reading may be helpful, but for deeper reading or learning, sitting quietly is likely to be more effective.”She ended, “Treadmill reading offers some modest benefits but is not a guaranteed way to improve focus”. Related...I Tried 'Retro Walking', And My Knees Have Never Felt BetterI Asked A GP If 'Nordic Walking' Is Better Than 10,000 StepsWalking Boots Letting In Water? These 3 Mistakes May Be Why

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