There is evidence that walking groups have wide-ranging health benefits .
The evidence was less clear for other outcomes such as waist circumference fasting glucose , SF-36 ( mental health ) and serum lipids such as high-density lipids .
There were no notable adverse side effects reported in any of the studies .
CONCLUSIONS Walking groups are effective and safe with good adherence and wide-ranging health benefits .
They could be a promising intervention as an adjunct to other healthcare or as a proactive health-promoting activity
OBJECTIVE To assess the health benefits of  outdoor walking groups .
Effects of a Flexibility and Relaxation Programme, Walking, and Nordic Walking on Parkinson's Disease
Symptoms of Parkinson 's disease ( PD ) progress despite optimized medical treatment . The present study investigated the effects of a flexibility and relaxation programme , walking , and Nordic walking ( NW ) on walking speed , stride length , stride length variability , Parkinson-specific disability ( UPDRS ) , and health-related quality of life ( PDQ 39 ) .  90 PD patients were r and omly allocated to the 3 treatment groups . Patients participated in a 6-month study with 3 exercise sessions per week , each lasting 70 min . Assessment after completion of the training showed that pain was reduced in all groups , and balance and health-related quality of life were improved . Furthermore , walking , and Nordic walking improved stride length , gait variability , maximal walking speed , exercise capacity at submaximal level , and PD disease-specific disability on the UPDRS in addition . Nordic walking was superior to the flexibility and relaxation programme and walking in improving postural stability , stride length , gait pattern and gait variability . No significant injuries occurred during the training . All patients of the Nordic walking group continued Nordic walking after completing the study
There is evidence that walking groups have wide-ranging health benefits .
The evidence was less clear for other outcomes such as waist circumference fasting glucose , SF-36 ( mental health ) and serum lipids such as high-density lipids .
There were no notable adverse side effects reported in any of the studies .
CONCLUSIONS Walking groups are effective and safe with good adherence and wide-ranging health benefits .
They could be a promising intervention as an adjunct to other healthcare or as a proactive health-promoting activity
OBJECTIVE To assess the health benefits of  outdoor walking groups .