The male or female volunteers, aged between 18 and 65, must be in relatively good health, live in the Bristol area and currently take part in little or no physical activity.
Research has shown that walking can improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce bodyweight, body fat and blood pressure levels in previously sedentary, but otherwise healthy, adults.
Rónán Doherty from the University’s Department of Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences said: “It is hoped that by taking part in this study people will realise that you don’t need to pay expensive gym membership or buy expensive sports equipment to improve your fitness. Simply by increasing your physical activity levels through walking more, you can protect yourself from diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.”
Over the six weeks of the research, participants will be asked to gradually progress from three ten minute walking sessions a day to one thirty minute walking session a day.
The results of this study will help to provide a walking prescription to improve fitness in low-active individuals. After the research is completed any participant who wishes to know their results will be given a personal report.