A consultant endocrinologist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Dr Alalade Boladale, has said regular exercise, including walking, is an effective way of reducing the burden of cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases.
Alalade stated this while representing the Head of Clinical Services of the hospital, Dr Olusola Adebisi, during a sensitisation walk across major areas of Abeokuta, Ogun State, to commemorate the 2026 World Walking Day.
The 2026 World Walking Day is observed globally on October 4, under the theme: “Your baton, Your cause”, with the initiative of promoting movement, unity, community participation and healthier lifestyles.
The medical practitioner said walking could contribute significantly to the prevention and management of several health conditions, maintaining that exercise had been found to help reduce the cardiovascular burden associated with non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, as well as disorders involving cholesterol and other lipids.
“Exercise builds the heart, makes the bones strong, makes the muscles stronger and generally improves our well-being,” he stated.
Alalade explained that physical exercise remained an important component of medical care, noting that healthcare professionals routinely recommend exercise as part of the management of various diseases.
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Alalade said the World Walking Day provided an opportunity to take the message of healthy living beyond hospitals and medical facilities to communities, thereby encouraging more people to embrace regular physical activity..
The consultant also stressed the social benefits of the initiative, saying walking together provided an opportunity for people to interact, build relationships and strengthen community bonds.
He further noted that exercise was beneficial to mental and emotional well-being, as it could help reduce stress and improve mood.
“Exercises help in reducing stress. Exercise has been found to build the mind. It reduces your stress burden and relaxes your mood as well.
“We can see how people are happy today. Whatever their burden, they put it behind them, and we can see how joyous they were during this exercise,’’ he said.
Also, the Deputy Director of Physiotherapy, of the hospital , Mr Alimi Talayo, noted that regular physical exercise improves blood circulation, sharpens the brain and enhances the overall functioning of vital organs.
He highlighted the importance of movement to healthy living, submitting that exercise strengthens the heart to pump blood and oxygen efficiently to the brain, lungs and other organs, thereby helping them function effectively.
He said regular exercise also improves fitness, endurance and the ability to perform daily activities, warning that a sedentary lifestyle could significantly reduce life expectancy.
Talayo urged people to make regular physical activity part of their lifestyle, noting that participants who exercise consistently often demonstrate greater endurance and strength during physical activities.
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