| ACE, the American Council on Exercise, has just | | | | that an increase in the speed and/or incline upped |
| released the (surprising!) results from a new study | | | | the work load, what surprised researchers was |
| that measured the health benefits of fitness | | | | the extent of the difference. They discovered |
| walking with your baby in a stroller. Research | | | | that walking with a stroller burned approximately |
| concludes that the intensity of the activity is | | | | 18 to 20% more calories than fitness walking |
| almost double than previously assumed, which is | | | | alone. At that rate, the average woman would |
| great news for new moms everywhere. | | | | burn about 375 to 440 calories per hour-an |
| Funded by ACE, researchers at the University of | | | | intensity rate of 4 an 5 METS-which is equivalent |
| Wisconsin enrolled 15 physically active women, | | | | to riding a bicycle at 10 mph. (MET values are |
| ages 19 to 41 into the study. To establish a | | | | used to gauge exercise intensity and allow for |
| fitness baseline, all of the women were given a | | | | comparison of different types of activities.) |
| maximal exercise test on a treadmill that | | | | Previous estimates, as sited by The Compendium |
| measured their oxygen usage, heart rate, and | | | | of Physical Activity, evaluated walking with a |
| levels of perceived exertion. The women were | | | | stroller at 2.5 METS, or about half the intensity |
| then given two exercise test sessions while | | | | that the current study has documented. |
| pushing a baby in a stroller. | | | | To maintain or improve health, it's recommended |
| During the first stroller workout, women walked | | | | that people perform regular aerobic exercise at a |
| on a treadmill at 3 mph for 20 minutes, with the | | | | moderate intensity level, and this study confirms |
| strollers weighted to 35 pounds (to mimic a | | | | that fitness walking with you baby in a stroller |
| one-year-old baby and diaper bag). Every four | | | | meets those goals. Stroller based exercise |
| minutes the incline was adjusted from flat, to | | | | programs like Baby Boot Camp or Stroller Strides, |
| 2.5%, to 5%, and to 7.5% grade. The second | | | | which incorporate strength and flexibility exercises |
| test session used the same protocol but at the | | | | into their workouts, can provide even greater |
| increased speed of 3.5 mph. Participants heart | | | | health benefits. Given the new mother's hectic |
| rates, oxygen usage, and rate of perceived | | | | lifestyle, stroller fitness walking is an easy, |
| exertion were measured throughout both tests. | | | | economical, and fun way to improve health, lose |
| While it came as no surprise that walking with a | | | | weight, and connect with other new moms at the |
| stroller burned more calories than walking alone, or | | | | same time. |