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Two types of walking impact health

Dr. Milica McDowell explains how intentional and ambient walking benefit overall health.

July 21, 2025 at 04:00 AM

A walking expert says there are two types of walking, here’s why both are important for your health

Understanding the importance of both intentional and ambient walking can improve your overall health.

Two walking types play key roles in your health

Dr. Milica McDowell, a doctor of physical therapy and expert in exercise physiology, highlights that there are two types of walking: intentional and ambient. While intentional walking is faster and more structured, providing significant cardiovascular benefits, ambient walking includes everyday movements like wandering around your home. Both types contribute to your overall step count and health in different ways, with intentional walks helping to increase fitness levels and ambient walks countering prolonged sitting. McDowell suggests incorporating both forms of walking to foster physical and mental well-being.

Key Takeaways

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Walking can be categorized into intentional and ambient types.

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Intentional walking provides cardiovascular and muscular conditioning benefits.

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Ambient walking helps break up long periods of sitting and contributes to calorie burn.

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Increasing steps gradually can prevent injury.

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Partnering in walks can improve mood and prolong walking duration.

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Both walking types contribute to overall health in valuable ways.

"If you and I were to go out for a 10-minute intentional walk, we’re getting into a rhythm."

Dr. McDowell emphasizes the benefits of getting into a walking rhythm for health improvement.

"Ambiguous walking steps still count, but they provide a different type of benefit."

This highlights the unique advantages of ambient walking in everyday life.

"While it’s great to have a certain step count, partnered walks can help fill up our social cup."

Dr. McDowell points out the added emotional benefits of social walking.

"Getting up and wandering around can mitigate some of the negative effects of sitting."

This underlines the need for movement in combating sedentary behavior.

The distinction between intentional and ambient walking sheds light on how we can optimize our daily activities for better health. As sedentary lifestyles become more common, understanding that even casual movements carry health benefits is vital. Encouraging people to walk more, whether through structured exercise or everyday activities, is essential for combating issues related to inactivity. McDowell’s advice aims not only at physical health but also emphasizes social interaction, which can enhance both emotional and mental well-being.