Pedestrians prefer "active landscapes" that include obstacles over flat walkways, study finds

HealthWatch: Slowing the progression of Alzheimer's; Pedestrians prefer "active landscapes"

And a new study finds people may be more willing to stay physically active if there were more fun ways to walk around the city. What do you mean by that?

Walking on flat pavement is better than no exercise at all, but it really doesn't really get the heart rate up or significantly improve balance.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge conducted a survey of nearly 600,000 UK residents and found that 80% would prefer a more challenging pedestrian route such as one with stepping stones, balancing beams, and high steps.

"Active Landscape" depiction Anna Boldina

They say providing "active landscape" routes in urban areas could help tackle the pandemic of inactivity and improve health outcomes.

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

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