Tis true.. Walking backwards may be good for your brain. This is because it fits the criteria of a neurobic activity. And remember, neurobic activities can causes new neural connections to grow in your brain – and that’s a good thing!
Recalling an earlier post I wrote, in order to be a brain building neurobic activity it must have one or more of the following going for it:
1) Involve one or more of your senses in a novel context.
2) Engage your attention.
3) Break a routine activity in an unexpected, novel way
I’d say walking or running backwards fits the neurobic criteria quite well.
Exercising backwards is also called retro-exercise. Retro-running has been popular for many years in Europe. In fact, they have races which vary from sprints to the 26.2-mile marathon. Additionally, I have personally witnessed numerous people walking backwards as a form of exercise in public parks in China.
Here are a few of the many benefits of walking or running backwards:
- Running backwards burns a fifth more calories than traditional jogging
- 100 steps backward walking is equivalent to 1,000 steps conventional walking.
- Your balance increases
- Your hearing increases
- Your peripheral vision increases
- Helps people recover from knee-joint surgery and injuries ranging from the ankle to the groin
- Your tummy becomes your back and creates a nice reaction for your abdominals
- An athlete who can walk forward at a given pace that enables his heart rate to rise to 106 bpm will see it soar to 156 bpm while walking backward at the same pace.
- Running forward at a 10-minute mile pace may raise the heart rate to 151 bpm, while running backwards at the same speed raises it to 174 bpm.
The drawback, of course, is a lack of hindsight. Because of this it’s recommended that newcomers to backward walking or running do it gradually on a flat track or treadmill to avoid potholes, signs, cars and other hazards.
Sources:
Resources:
Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises
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Thanks for this blog, I will link to you in my new blog. The brain stuff fascinates me, and as I, like you (apparently) am at an age where I am working on protecting and preserving (without pickling) my brain. Good job.
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This sounds like a good challenge for both my brain and my patience. I had to laugh, though, when I first mis-read that this activity fits the criteria of a neurotic activity. I guess if people saw you walking backwards on a treadmill they might, indeed, think you were a bit neurotic!
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Hi Susan!
Once I was doing some backward walking at a spot where people go to walk a short mountain hill for exercise. One person’s dog looked at me real funny like, what in the world is that human doing.
When walking backward in public, you do get some looks. In China, I see people do it in parks for exercise. It’s more common to see it done there.
Are humans uniquely hardwired for walking backwards? My Maine Coon cat Reggie just can’t seem to master it.
Hello there,
I’ve been walking backwards only to strengthen my stamina and get physically fit. I definitely sweat more at the gym on the treadmill. I tackle it going on the elliptical as well. I’ve seen football players at practice using this method. So why not I ? Any chance I get I do it.
Hi,
I really found it hard to learn walking backwards. In the beginning i was falling a few times and got some weird looks from my husband. He thinks i am nuts, lol. After i while you i really enjoyed it and discovered that you are right. I sweat a lot and have the feeling i loose a lot more weight now. I have made it a part of my exercise program and it works great.
Very interesting post.
Imagine if a lot of students start to try walk backwards at the period before university tests. It would be amazing!
Wow walking backwards really help? I want to try it but i do not have a place to try walking backwards. I cannot just start walking backwards in the streets now, can i?
I started walking backwards so I could burn more calories….never knowing that I was helping my brain, too!
Thanks for the article.
Excellent post thanks! I never knew that walking backwards actually helps your brain. I am to clumsy to walk backwards.
Does going backwards on an elliptical machine count?
Hi Mark,
From the perspective of it being a neurobic activity which stimulates new brain cells, yes I would say it does. Unless of course going backwards on the elliptical is something your normally do
Haha, no not normally. But I will try it on my elliptical and see what happens – thanks for the response!
I think than backward running appears to be a forgotten, old-school practice these days.
“Your hearing increases”!! That is true
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hanks for this blog, I will link to you in my new blog. The brain stuff fascinates me, and as I, like you (apparently) am at an age where I am working on protecting and preserving
Interesting post on walking or running backwards. If you think about it does more agility and uses different parts of the brain. Like this blog so far.
I need to go along together with you, great points you have made on your case.
It sounds good for old people who wants to mantain their brain active! And also a nice exercise.
thanks!!
Wow, thanks amazing. I truly never would have thought changing something so simply could have so many benefits. Could walking backwards on a tread mill work?
Gonna try it tomorrow while I walk the Corgis. I’m sure they’ll be confused, and maybe try to “help.” I expect to become entangled in leashes,
I have walked backwards every day of the week for the last year. I cannot tell you how much my life has changed as a result of the activity. For me, it has been
an integral part of an overall self-healing process. I feel as though I have developed a 6th sense. Creative and mental abilities are sharper. I have structured the activity as a mind/body/spirit process-part of a larger self-healing regimen. I refer you to an article I wrote for an alternative health newsletter at the above URL. I wake up every morning excited to begin my forward walking day,walking backwards.
I am trying to lose my stomach it is very large.By walking backwardss doen’t that help are what kind off excerise can I do for that.
thank for lettig me know about walking backward, I never thought it will help my think.My girlfriend start me to walking backwards.much thank to her. How long sure you walk backward?And how oughht?