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 .
A community-based walking trial to improve neighborhood quality of life in older adults: a multilevel analysis
Background : Few studies have considered the neighborhood as a context in which to examine the physical activity and quality of life relationship . Purpose : The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of a neighborhood walking program on  quality of life among older adults . It was design ed as a r and omized trial involving a multilevel design with neighborhoods corresponding to primary sampling units and residents to secondary units . Methods : Five hundred eighty-two communitydwelling senior residents ( 65 years of age or older ) in neighborhoods in the northeast metropolitan area of Portl and , Oregon , were recruited through telephone , direct mail , and referrals . The walking intervention was delivered at the neighborhood level . Neighborhoods ( N = 56 ) were r and omly assigned to a 6-month , 3 times per week , leader-led walking group activity ( n = 28 ) or an information-only control group ( n = 28 ) . Primary outcome measures included SF-12 ( Physical , Mental summary scores ) and life satisfaction ( SWLS ) ; the secondary outcome measure was neighborhood walking activity , assessed at baseline , 3 months , and 6 months of the study period . Results : Compared to the control neighborhoods , results from multilevel , longitudinal analyses indicated significant improvements in the primary outcomes of SF-12 Physical ( p < .05 ) , SF-12 Mental ( p < .05 ) summary scores , and SWLS ( p < .05 ) , over the course of the 6-month intervention . A significant increase was also observed in the secondary outcome of walking activity ( p < .05 ) . Conclusions : Implementing a neighborhood-based walking program of low to moderate intensity is feasible and beneficial for promoting quality of life among senior residents at a community level
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 .