Overview

• The JAMA Network Open analysis of nearly 11,200 adults used activity trackers to measure walking habits between 2017 and 2019 with follow-up through 2023.
• Participants who walked 78 to 100 minutes daily saw a 13% lower risk of developing chronic low back pain.
• Those exceeding 100 minutes of walking per day had a 23% reduced risk compared with less active peers.
• While faster walking was linked to a modest 15%–18% risk reduction, total daily walking time emerged as the stronger factor.
• Researchers suggest incorporating more walking into public health strategies could help curb low back pain prevalence, though further studies are needed to confirm causality.