Arq. Bras. Cardiol. 2020; 115(4): 628-629
Can Long-Distance Walking alter Cardiac Biomarkers and Echocardiographic Variables Related to Diastolic Function?
This Short Editorial is referred by the Research article "Diastolic Function and Biomarkers of Long-Distance Walking Participants".
Walking is one of the most practiced physical activities worldwide. It is also included in physical exercise programs aiming at improving the health-related parameters in different populations., Therefore, the demand for amateur events encompassing walking has been increasing, especially those related to nature and the culture of a specific region. One of the best known amateur events in the world that involves walking is the “Camino de Santiago de la Compostela”. Moreover, here in Brazil, we have the “Rota das Missões”, located in the south of the country. The trajectories can have different distances, reaching nearly 40km of walking on the same day. These are two examples of activities that involve walking and add a cultural experience to the event.
In addition to the two abovementioned events, there are long-distance ecological hikes, where participants experience direct contact with nature, going through different terrain characteristics on the same day, reaching a total walking distance of up to 250 km during a 4-day event. We know that each individual responds differently to a certain stimulus; however, walking more than 50 km in one day going up and down slopes, on rough terrain, can have a negative physiological impact on any individual who undergoes this type of modality. In addition to the physiological damage, we are also concerned with the impact on the cardiovascular system in relation to the volume and intensity of this type of modality.,
[…]
447
