Read the passage. Then answer questions 1 through 6
1. When it comes to watching sports, football reigns supreme in the United States. However, when it comes to number of participants, football takes a back seat to fitness sports. Fitness sports include activities such as walking, running, and weightlifting. The most popular option is walking. About 60 percent of American adults walk for fun and exercise. It is most common in the West and Northeast; however, the number of recreational walkers in the South is on the rise.
2. These are numerous articles on the health benefits of walking. Medical experts say to get the most health benefits from walking and you should walk at least two and a half hours a week. Individual walks should last at least ten minutes. A brisk pace will result in the walker breathing harder, which leads to healthier heart and blood vessels. The benefits of following this advice include achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and even some cancers.
3. Walking has become so popular that many city and community planners are now designing areas with walking paths. Studies show only about half the walkers in the United States walk the recommended amount of time each week. Access to safe and convenient places to walk encourages people to increase their walking time and encourages more people to participate in this fitness sport. Cities and communities are responding to this need for safe walking paths.
4. Walking has also become big business. Most Americans have at least one or two pairs of walking sneakers in their closet. Tracking the steps or miles walked has become a popular by-product of the sport. Electronic pedometers and distance tracking phone apps provide walkers with a record of how far they have gone, as well as a comparison to past achievements. Many millions of dollars are spent each year on fitness apparel and electronics related to walking.
5. Walking also has the benefit of being able to be completed on an individual basis or with a group. A solitary walk provides walkers with a chance to clear their minds and recharge their batteries. Many walkers form walking groups with friends and neighbors. Not only these groups provide social interaction for the participants but members also encourage each other to extend their distance to increase their pace. Individuals should choose whichever method helps them to meet the recommended walking time and pace standards each week.
