Walking with a partner slows you down, researchers from Purdue University discovered. Couples who stride hand-in-hand are substantially slower compared to people strolling solo.

Research: A partner slows you down when walking

Dreaming of lovely strolls hand-in-hand with a loved one? If you are doing it as a romantic time, go for it. But if you think about exercising and getting fit, a loved one by your side may hold you back, ScienceDaily.com reported.

Scholars from Purdue University in Indiana, USA, recruited 72 couples to check the effectiveness of exercising with a partner. The age of participants ranged from 25 to 79.

Participants took strolls in various ways, with scientists recording their time.

• Walking together.
• Holding hands while walking.
• Walking by oneself.
• Locations changed.
• Some routes were harder than others.

Professor Melissa Franks pointed out that partners in long-term relationships tend to support the healthy lifestyle of each other.

So, it’s just natural they do some activities together. However, this comes with a warning: While enjoying each other’s company, people tend to drop the speed. Even more so if you hold hands while walking.

Obviously, in a pair one partner tends to be faster. The old adage that a group is only as strong as its weakest link holds true here as well.

Still, marching slower beats absence of exercise any day of the week. For some people, unless they have someone to do it with, physical activity may disappear from the daily schedule altogether.

The current health advice suggests 150 minutes of vigorous to moderate activity weekly to ensure sufficient amount of exercise.

While enjoying each other’s company, people tend to drop the speed.

Speed up to get fitter

Scientists point out that speed of one’s gait indicates the person’s health condition. Slower gait shows proneness to falls and higher likelihood of various health issues.

The ease of walks makes them a perfect activity to start a fitness routine. However, with age participants tend to slow down.

So, what would the scientists suggest to people who want to continue enjoying walks together while striving to improve their fitness? Be conscious of your speed and make an effort to march faster. Especially if you are the one who tends to stroll leisurely, resolve to speed up, as your partner is probably too polite to let you know.

Ukrainian women most of whom don’t own cars may surprise you with their ability to stroll in high heels over difficult terrains. You may find it hard to keep up with them.

The need to reach various locations and pace up the stairs multiple times daily provides for an easy-to-maintain fitness regime, but once in a country where people drive everywhere, things may change. This is where couple activities including walks in a park or by the beach could become an excellent workout, as long as you keep in mind your speed.

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