How does walking benefit you?

Welcome to What's Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, recorded while walking through Sheffield Botanical Gardens, they turn their attention to one of the simplest and most accessible forms of exercise - walking.

Joined by Professor Steve Haake, Professor of Sport Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University and a leading expert on physical activity, they explore what happens in the body when we walk, how walking differs from running, and why such a simple activity can have such profound effects on our physical and mental health.

From weight management and cardiovascular fitness to stress, mood and social connection, they examine the evidence behind the many benefits of walking. Along the way, they tackle some common myths, including whether we really need 10,000 steps a day, whether faster is always better, and whether short walks are just as beneficial as longer ones.

They also discuss why modern life can make walking harder than ever, and ask what individuals, communities and policymakers can do to help us move more.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

Guest: Professor Steve Haake

Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis

Researcher: Grace Revill

Assistant Producer: Mike Ellis

Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar

Production Manager: Lisa Lipman

Editor: Jo Rowntree

Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable

Visual Producer: Leon Gower

Digital Lead: Richard Berry

Composer: Phoebe McFarlane

Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC:

Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4