Power walking or speed walking is the act of
walking
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined as an " inverted pendulum" gait in which the body vaults o ...
with a speed at the upper end of the natural range for the walking
gait
Gait is the pattern of Motion (physics), movement of the limb (anatomy), limbs of animals, including Gait (human), humans, during Animal locomotion, locomotion over a solid substrate. Most animals use a variety of gaits, selecting gait based on s ...
, typically 7 to 9 km/h (4.3 to 5.5 mph). To qualify as power walking as opposed to jogging or running, at least one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times (see ''
walking
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined as an " inverted pendulum" gait in which the body vaults o ...
'' for a formal definition).
History and technique

In 1999, the
Berlin Marathon included a Power Walking division.
Power walking is often confused with
racewalking
Race walking, or racewalking, is a long-distance discipline within the sport of athletics. Although a foot race, it is different from running in that one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times. Race judges carefully asses ...
.
Power walking techniques involve the following:
* The walker must walk straight
* The walker must walk doing an alternating movement of feet and arms
* The walker must walk with one foot in permanent contact with the ground
* The leading leg must be bent
* Each advancing foot strike must be heel to toe at all times
* The walker must walk not doing an exaggerated swivel to the hip
* The arms spread completely from the elbows and these move back
Competitions and world records
Competitions are held for power walking competitions, with world records held in categories including 5 km, 10 km, half marathon, 30 km, marathon, and multiday distances.
Health and fitness
A 2021 study, where post coronary angioplasty patients were introduced power walking based on their ejection fraction,
VO2 max calculation, heart rate monitoring and pedometer counts. Those participants in power walking group benefited significantly on quality of life and various physiological parameters.
References
Sources
*
Reeves, Steve. (1982) ''Power Walking'',
Bobbs-Merrill.
External links
World Ranking -National and World Race Walking
{{DEFAULTSORT:Power Walking
Walking