We're all familiar with morning jogs, hiking trails, and endurance workouts. But what about going for a walk or run backward?
In Japan, they've been adhering to this trend for some time now. Meanwhile, in the UK, competitions specifically for backwards running have been established.
Why is walking backward considered something remarkable?
Advantages
Going backward (or retracing your steps) is believed to benefit physical health, improve sleep quality, and enhance memory retention. This type of movement heightens your sensory perception because it demands greater concentration. As you can’t see directly behind you, you depend more on other senses like hearing and touch to get around. Consequently, your brain receives additional exercise!
Walking backward enhances your posture as it requires you to keep your spine straight, providing an effective exercise for your abdominal muscles.
When moving backward, your calf muscles and the front part of your thighs (quadriceps) have to work overtime. In contrast, normal running puts more strain on your hamstrings and knees. Consequently, walking backwards can reduce the likelihood of getting injured.
It can also serve as an enjoyable deviation from your usual weekly or daily workout regimen.
Additionally, walking backward demands more energy, leading to increased calorie expenditure!
(FVDV - Source: Plus magazine - Illustration image: Unsplash)
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