Strength training and walking are complementary for seniors

Health experts emphasize that for individuals over 60, walking and strength exercises like squats serve complementary rather than competing roles. While walking is essential for cardiovascular endurance and mobility, it may not provide sufficient stimulus to prevent age-related muscle loss.

To maintain autonomy in daily activities—such as climbing stairs, maintaining stability, or rising from a chair—it is necessary to incorporate resistance training. Specifically, targeting the glutes, quadriceps, and hip muscles through movements like controlled chair rises can help combat the loss of muscle mass and power that occurs with aging. Experts note that walking on flat terrain at a comfortable pace often lacks the intensity required to maintain the strength needed for these functional movements.