Now a 30-minute walk’s thought of as a step too far

THE average person considers any walk longer than half an hour “too far”, according to a study yesterday.

The study of 2,000 adults also found four in 10 are not willing to walk more than a mile.

Three-quarters said they have been put off because it was raining, while the average adult will opt for transport when temperatures fall below 5C (41F).

Meanwhile, four in 10 are more likely to take a lift rather than climb stairs.

Charity SPANA, which provides free veterinary care to working animals in developing countries, carried out the research ahead of International Working Animal Day today.

Lazy

Chief executive Geoffrey Dennis said: “If the weather is bad or we’re feeling tired, we can jump in the car or on the bus to get where we need to be.

“But it’s a very different story for many working animals overseas.”

The survey found three-quarters of Britons feel they ought to do more walking. However, when asked how far they were willing to walk before taking another form of transport, the average figure given was 31 minutes.

Among the top reasons people gave for staying off their feet were finding walking boring, having an injury or disability that stops them being mobile or being just plain lazy.

A fifth of those polled believe they do not have time to walk and must drive to make the most of the day.

The NHS suggests 10,000 steps a day is an ideal amount to walk – about five miles.

However, Britons estimate their average daily footfall to be 5,836 steps.

On average we spend nearly 17 hours a week sitting on the sofa – more than two hours a day.

Meanwhile, seven in 10 say they would not be able to run a mile without getting out of breath.

Six in 10 people admit there are weeks where they hardly walk at all and nine in 10 agree we walk less now than we have ever done before.

Mr Dennis said: “It seems we are walking far less than in past generations. Busy lifestyles and the fact that most households own a car are some of the factors behind this.

“But when it comes to walking, it’s clear we generally have a choice.

“Working animals in developing countries – and the owners who walk beside them – don’t have that luxury.”