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Quoted from: MedicineNet.com
Walking
What are the types of walking?
There are two types of formal walking: power-walking (also known as speed-walking) and racewalking. Both types require technique; the difference between them is that racewalking is an Olympic sport with rules and power-walking is done more recreationally. For example, there's a racewalking rule that the athlete's back toe cannot leave the ground until the heel of the front foot has touched. Both are excellent forms of exercise that yield fitness and health benefits.
Another type of walking requires no technique; you just get out there and walk. I call this the plain old walking technique, one step in front of the other! You've been doing it your entire life, and whether it's for exercise, a stroll, or walking the dog, there are lots of benefits to be gained from it. I encourage you to continue if that's what you do for exercise, but if you want to up the ante and start walking faster, then attention to your technique might be just the ticket.

Where can I find tips on walking techniques?
The technique for brisk walking, whether it's power- or racewalking, is the same. Below are some tips on technique.
Legwork
1. A common mistake for beginners when trying to walk fast is lengthening the stride (overstriding). Overstriding is biomechanically inefficient and can slow you down. It will burn more calories because it's inefficient (which might be a good thing), but you may burn fewer calories overall because you don't walk as far due to fatigue.

2. Instead of overstriding to walk faster, concentrate on a powerful push off while the front foot lands closer to the body. This is what elite walkers do.
Footwork
1. Walk heel to toe and not flatfooted to increase speed.

2. Contact the ground with your heel.

3. Roll the foot forward over the center of your foot.

4. Push off with your toes.
Hips
1. Rotate your hips forward and backward as you walk.

2. Your waist should twist. Racewalkers can look funny because of the hip rotation but restricted hip movement decreases your speed.
Torso
1. Keep your torso upright. Leaning forward or back will slow you down.
Arm work
1. Keep your elbows at 90 degrees.

2. Keep your hands relaxed.

3. Swing your arms forward and back and keep them close to your body. Your hands should not cross the midline of your body to maintain efficiency.

4. Speed up your arm swing to increase your speed and your legs will follow! This really works!
Head, neck, and shoulders
1. Keep your shoulders and neck relaxed. Head should be upright, eyes looking forward.


COMMENT:
Consider the above helpful hints and try them while you are walking this week. Send on your thoughts on these suggestions and see how or whether it helped you.

Have fun! Be healthy and happy!

Program Director
K. Chris Chung, MD

The Starters Sunday, June 06, 2010



Welcome All 1000 Mile Walkers:
June 6, 2010

By the end of today, there are 90 teams participating, total of 422 walkers. Fantastic!

So far, we walked 7,747.79 miles together.

Four new teams have joined since the last correspondence & welcome!
Team Bringin’ Up the Rear
Team FIVE MOMMAS
Team MVH Surgery Sprinters
Team Walkalot

I encourage all of you to upload your team pictures on the web. Here is How:
Get ready: Your team picture in your computer
Click: Miles Walked
Click: Add Team Photo
Click: Browse…
Pop up: ‘Choose File to Upload’ will appear
Choose: by clicking the file containing the Team Picture.
It is done!

As you can see, the “Tenacious Turtles” was the Medalist in 2009 as they proudly show off in their Team Picture.

Program Director,
K. Chris Chung, MD

The Starters Sunday, June 06, 2010

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The Starters Saturday, July 03, 2010

MID-SUMMER WALK-IN-THE-PARK

The information is announced in the Bulletin section. Everyone invited. Please let us know within a week if you are coming.

Program Director
K. Chris Chung, MD
The Starters Saturday, July 03, 2010

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