Through a collaboration with Walking magazine, they are seeking to enroll 55,000 men and women who walk as their principal form of recreation in an ongoing study of how walking affects their health. Berkeley Lab's Paul Williams, who heads these studies, says walkers enrolled in the new National Walkers' Health Study will be contacted every five years to assess their medical health. We really don't know the answers to those questions. Another area that we'll investigate is whether walkers have the same low risk of heart disease and cancer as runners with less risk of injuries. The key step in launching the walkers' study is contacting walkers.
Recruitment is typically among a study's most difficult and costly components.
Walking magazine is among the organizations that has assisted in this recruitment effort. Walking magazine is committed to encouraging the nation to become healthier through physical activity. By participating in this survey, our readers could ultimately contribute to the health of all Americans. Individuals who want to apply to participate in the study can go directly to the National Walkers' Study website. Or, they can write Dr. Paul Williams, National Walkers' Health Study, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Building 934, Berkeley, CA 94720.