More than half a century after it first aired on the BBC, Monty Python’s famous “Stupid Walk” sketch inspired a group of researchers at Arizona State University to help them save a few calories after an overactive workout. to see how effective it is for people trying to burn holiday season.
results of a study called Quantifying the Benefits of Inefficient Walking: A Laboratory-Based Experimental Study Inspired by Monty Python – is Published in the British Medical Journaland while it’s clear that research is part of the end-of-the-year fun, the testing methods were very detailed nonetheless.
For those unfamiliar with Python Sketch of the Ministry of Stupid Walksit is described by Times As a “satire on bureaucratic inefficiency”, it features John Cleese as civil servant Mr. Teabag. Seeing T-Bag work in such a silly way, he finds himself in a relationship with Mr. Pewty (Michael Palin), who is requesting a government grant to develop his own silly walk. held a meeting. Unfortunately, Putey’s walk was deemed too wise, so his request was denied.
Using Cleese’s walk as the focus of the study, the research team recruited 13 healthy adults with an average age of 34 years. Each participant was instructed to perform her three different walks over a 30-meter course for 5 minutes each time.
The first walk was their usual style, the second was Pewtie’s style, and the third was a silly Teabag copy.
Oxygen uptake, energy expenditure, and exercise intensity data were recorded, and caloric expenditure was also tracked, but the team found that “the amount of time spent laughing and smiling may be a side effect of walking inefficiently.” was not recorded.
As a result, we found the following.
— Inefficient walking (tea bag style) increases energy expenditure in adults by approximately 2.5 times compared to normal walking style.
— Adults can achieve 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week by walking tea-bag style for about 11 minutes per day instead of normal style.
— Replacing your regular style steps with tea bag style steps for about 12-19 minutes per day will increase your energy expenditure by about 100 calories per day.
In conclusion, the research team said: By increasing the inefficiency of the physical activity and exercise we already do (so we don’t have to spend more time doing it), other ways to encourage regular physical activity in an enjoyable way. May complement public health efforts. “
So next time you’re on your daily commute or strolling through the mall, consider a very silly place to take a walk. boost your healthBut be prepared for some looks.
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