A recent investigation, featured in JAMA Network Open, has revealed an inverse correlation between the quantity of daily ambulation and the intensity of such activity, and the likelihood of developing persistent lumbar discomfort. The research indicates that the sheer volume of walking may offer a more substantial protective effect compared to its vigor.
People who walk a lot have less back pain than people who do not walk much — and the volume is what matters most, not the intensity. Image credit: Tung Lam.
Lumbar pain is a pervasive condition affecting individuals across all age demographics, identified as the primary contributor to diminished functional well-being, estimated to represent 7.7% of all years experienced with a disability.
Within the United States, back pain stands as the most prevalent form of chronic pain, with low back pain incurring the highest healthcare expenditures, on par with cervical pain.
It is anticipated that the global burden of lumbar discomfort will escalate in the forthcoming decades, presenting a significant obstacle to the financial viability of healthcare systems.
To mitigate this strain, it is imperative to pinpoint malleable determinants that can be addressed through public health initiatives and proactive interventions.
Current protocols for managing chronic low back pain advocate for the maintenance of physical exertion.
Nevertheless, explicit guidance concerning physical activity for the primary prevention of chronic lumbar pain is notably absent.
Locomotion on foot, recognized as the most common mode of leisure-time physical engagement among adults, is linked to a reduced incidence of a variety of non-communicable ailments and conditions.
However, the purported connection between pedestrian activity and the risk of developing chronic low back pain remains largely uninvestigated.
“Individuals who ambulate for over 100 minutes daily exhibit a 23 percent diminished risk of spinal issues compared to those whose walking duration is 78 minutes or less,” stated Rayane Haddadj, a doctoral candidate at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
“While it is perhaps unsurprising that physical activity benefits spinal health, until now, there has been uncertainty regarding whether the volume of low-intensity ambulation also contributes to this benefit.”
“The vigor of activity also influences the risk associated with long-term spinal complications, though to a lesser extent than the daily volume of walking.”
The research team incorporated a cohort of 11,194 participants into the Trøndelag Health Study (The HUNT Study).
A distinguishing characteristic of this research lies in the precise measurement of daily walking volume and intensity, achieved through the utilization of two sensors worn by the participants on their thigh and back for a period of up to one week.
“These findings underscore the significance of allocating time for physical activity as a means of averting both chronic spinal ailments and a spectrum of other health concerns,” commented Professor Paul Jarle Mork, also affiliated with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
“Over the long term, this could translate into substantial societal cost savings.”
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Rayane Haddadj et al. 2025. Volume and Intensity of Walking and Risk of Chronic Low Back Pain. JAMA Netw Open 8 (6): e2515592; doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.15592
