[Senior Trend] Nuumyeon Jukgo Georeumyeon Sanda

I bought fresh peanuts at the dawn market in Wonju, Gangwon-do. The savory taste was exquisite. I followed my parents on their morning walk, and it happened to be on the way, so I got some by chance. Even early in the morning, the riverside path was crowded with walkers. The age group of walkers at this time tends to be older, while younger people are more common at night. Since it’s a neighborhood, I could learn the stories of the walkers. I met a lady who walks every single day without fail, having recovered from a serious surgery. She said she was so busy raising her children after losing her spouse that she didn’t even realize she was ill. She said walking made her healthy. An elderly person in their 80s walking their pet said that after morning walks, their appetite improves and they eat well. They said walking is their secret to health and longevity. There was also a spirited person who started walking to survive after severe back pain made it hard to even stand, and now it’s been three years. They said they walk every day, rain or snow. In fact, I myself had a stiff back from sitting for long hours at work, but after walking for about an hour, my body felt refreshed.

We are truly in the era of health. When you turn on the TV, you see many health supplements, exercise programs, and the latest fitness equipment. Health solutions abound. Among these, walking is very popular with the senior generation. There are various forms, from walking tours exploring local trails, Nordic walking from Northern Europe, to barefoot walking in natural recreation forests. Along with this trend, there are over 80 private certifications related to walking. Meanwhile, there are products where you can earn money while taking care of your health by walking. By registering through apps like Cashwalk, Toss, and Pointberry, you can accumulate ‘walking points’ and exchange them for products. Banks sometimes offer bonus interest rates for walking. Insurance companies and the Ministry of Health and Welfare recommend walking as a health guardian program to reduce medical expenses and prevent diseases. Public institutions and private companies also run walking-related campaigns, such as ‘Eco-walking,’ which involves picking up trash while walking. These efforts are not only for customer health but also linked to low-carbon, eco-friendly activities.

Walking is a representative aerobic exercise. It is an economical and safe exercise that anyone can easily do anywhere without special equipment. Dr. Lee Si-hyung, a senior health evangelist, said that just walking releases serotonin hormones, making you happy. It is the basic step to activate brain function. On the ‘Morning Yard’ program, when introducing spine care tips called ‘Bunny Girls,’ they emphasized walking with phrases like “Maintain ‘Ba’ (correct) posture, ‘Geol’ (walk), and ‘Seu’ (stretch).” According to Professor Choi Dae-hyuk of Sogang University’s Department of Physical Education, walking provides benefits such as ‘improved cardiopulmonary function, enhanced blood circulation, reduced body fat, maintenance and increase of bone density, reduced stress and depression, and improved immunity.’

However, walking is composed of a more complex formula than one might think. According to the encyclopedic definition of gait (步行), it is an act that promotes the body’s center to move forward through continuous movement of the joints and muscles of the lower limbs. Multiple joints (knee joint, ankle joint, hip joint), pelvis, hundreds of bones, and muscles move simultaneously. When you can walk well, you don’t notice it consciously, but if you sprain your ankle or injure your leg, you immediately experience walking difficulties and become flustered. You realize walking is not easy. Although the robotics industry is rapidly advancing, it still cannot match human walking, showing how mysterious the human body’s walking action is. Nowadays, some learn professional walking techniques by attending ‘senior model’ classes or rehabilitation medicine experts teach proper walking methods through video lectures, such as engaging the abdomen and straightening the back.

The walking trend actually has a long history. Professor Lee Oi-ryeong encouraged university students on a national march in his book ‘The Story of Koreans,’ saying, “Walking is a thrilling challenge that engraves on the earth that I am a free human and a Korean.” In ancient times, people walked everywhere to create maps, and some walked pilgrim paths seeking the meaning of life. In modern society, rapid development of civilization and improved transportation convenience have reduced physical activity. Therefore, Americans run to overcome lack of exercise, and Japanese practice ‘Arukki (あるき walking).’ There are also meaningful attempts such as international walking competitions. Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the Korea International Walking Festival. Through the Korea Walking Federation, people from Japan, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and other countries gather in Wonju every October to walk local trails. Also, a ‘Korean version of the Santiago de Compostela route’ has started in Yeongdeok for middle-aged participants. The ‘Blue Road March’ project involves walking through pedestrian villages for 3 nights and 4 days, planning a new chapter in life after retirement, and all sessions are fully booked.

For the senior generation, walking-dedicated equipment and devices using augmented reality have appeared, allowing comfortable and safe walking anytime, even indoors as if walking on a trail. You can walk alone or together. You can earn a small amount of money while walking, visit the hospital less, and gain a positive mindset. Walking is harmless to the earth. Therefore, the current walking trend seems likely to continue steadily. We cannot stop aging, but we can slow it down. ‘Lie down and you die, walk and you live.’ Seniors, let’s start walking right now.

Lee Boram, CEO of Third Age