title: Is there evidence that walking groups have health benefits? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the health benefits of outdoor walking groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review and meta-analysis of walking group interventions examining differences in commonly used physiological, psychological and well-being outcomes between baseline and intervention end.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven electronic databases, clinical trial registers, grey literature and reference lists in English language up to November 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults, group walking outdoors with outcomes directly attributable to the walking intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two studies were identified involving 1843 participants. There is evidence that walking groups have wide-ranging health benefits. Meta-analysis showed statistically significant reductions in mean difference for systolic blood pressure -3.72 mm Hg (-5.28 to -2.17) and diastolic blood pressure -3.14 mm Hg (-4.15 to -2.13); resting heart rate -2.88 bpm (-4.13 to -1.64); body fat -1.31% (-2.10 to -0.52), body mass index -0.71 kg/m(2) (-1.19 to -0.23), total cholesterol -0.11 mmol/L (-0.22 to -0.01) and statistically significant mean increases in VO(2max) of 2.66 mL/kg/min (1.67-3.65), the SF-36 (physical functioning) score 6.02 (0.51 to 11.53) and a 6 min walk time of 79.6 m (53.37-105.84). A standardised mean difference showed a reduction in depression scores with an effect size of -0.67 (-0.97 to -0.38). The evidence was less clear for other outcomes such as waist circumference fasting glucose, SF-36 (mental health) and serum lipids such as high-density lipids. There were no notable adverse side effects reported in any of the studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Walking groups are effective and safe with good adherence and wide-ranging health benefits. They could be a promising intervention as an adjunct to other healthcare or as a proactive health-promoting activity.
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Physical activity; Walking