During the 19th century, the activity of backwalking was little more than an eccentric pastime. Today, research reveals that it can bring real benefits to your health and brain.
On a bet, to win $20,000 (about £4,250 at the time), 50-year-old cigar shop owner named Patrick Harmon responded to a strange challenge in the summer of 1915 – walking round trip from San Francisco to New York.
With the help of a friend and a small rearview mirror strapped to his chest to help him see where he was going, Harmon made the 6,300 km (3,900 mi) journey in 290 days, walking backwards. Harmon claimed that the trip left his ankles so strong that “it would take a hammer blow to break them.”
Maybe he was right.
According to research, walking backwards can have surprising benefits for both your physical health and your brain, reports the BBC.
Retro walking, as it is known in academia, has a rich history. There are reports dating back to the early 19th century of people walking hundreds, and sometimes thousands of kilometers, upside down. Many were the result of bets and others were simply attempts to brag about a strange track record.
“It’s even good for the brain”
Walking backwards can actually have some physical benefits. It is often used in physical therapy to relieve back pain, knee problems, and arthritis. Some studies even show that it can positively affect cognitive abilities, such as memory, reaction time and problem-solving abilities.
The practice of walking backwards for health reasons is believed to have originated in ancient China, but has recently attracted the attention of researchers in the US and Europe as a way to improve athletic performance and develop muscular strength.
Walking and running backwards exercises are already used in some sports training, but outside of athletes, retro walk, It has been found to benefit the elderly, young people, obese people, people suffering from osteoarthritis, and post-stroke patients who have mobility problems. It has also been found that walking backwards burns more calories than walking forwards.
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