HEALTH BENEFITS

Unlock the Power of Walking

Scientifically proven by study after study, walking can transform your health, body, and mind. Give your body the opportunity to heal.

Human circulatory system showing heart, arteries, and veins.

BLOOD CIRCULATION

Circulatory

Walking helps promote healthy blood flow throughout the body. With each step, circulation increases, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to tissues that need them most. Over time, this improved blood flow supports heart health, may help lower blood pressure, and can reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues.

Your leg muscles also play an important role as a natural pump. As they contract and relax during walking, they gently compress the veins in your legs, helping move blood back toward the heart. This process is especially beneficial in areas where circulation tends to be slower, such as the lower legs and feet.

Regular walking may also encourage the development of collateral circulation—small, alternative pathways that allow blood to flow around areas with reduced supply. This can be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing poor circulation or conditions that affect blood flow to the legs and feet.

LUNG HEALTH

Respiratory

Walking strengthens your lungs and improves how efficiently your body uses oxygen. As your breathing rate increases during walking, your lungs work harder, helping improve their capacity and overall function.

Regular walking trains your respiratory muscles. The muscles involved in breathing — including the diaphragm and intercostals — become stronger and more efficient, making breathing feel easier over time.

Walking also helps your body clear out stale air and bring in fresh oxygen. This improved airflow supports better gas exchange in the lungs, which can enhance endurance and reduce feelings of breathlessness during daily activities.

For individuals with mild respiratory limitations, walking can support healthier breathing patterns. Gentle, rhythmic movement encourages steady, controlled breathing and can help improve tolerance for physical activity.

Illustration of lungs and respiratory system promoting walking for health.
Illustration of the human digestive system highlighting gut health benefits.

GUT HEALTH

Digestive

Walking supports healthy digestion by gently stimulating the natural movement of your gastrointestinal tract. This helps food move more smoothly through the digestive system, reducing bloating and discomfort.

Light movement increases blood flow to the digestive organs. Better circulation helps your stomach and intestines work more efficiently, improving nutrient absorption and overall digestive function.

Walking can also help regulate bowel movements. The rhythmic motion encourages the muscles of the intestines to contract, which can reduce constipation and promote regularity.

For individuals with digestive sensitivities, walking can ease symptoms. Post‑meal walks may help reduce gas, indigestion, and sluggish digestion by keeping the system active without strain.

BRAIN AND NERVE HEALTH

Nervous

Walking supports the health of your nervous system by improving communication between your brain and muscles. The rhythmic, repetitive movement helps reinforce neural pathways involved in coordination, balance, and motor control.

Walking increases blood flow to the brain, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients that support cognitive function. This can enhance mental clarity, focus, and overall brain health.

Regular walking also helps regulate the nervous system’s stress response. Light physical activity encourages the release of endorphins—your body’s natural “feel‑good” chemicals—which can reduce tension, improve mood, and support emotional well‑being.

Consistency in walking can strengthen neuroplasticity. This means your brain can form new connections and adapt more easily, which is especially beneficial for individuals recovering from injury or working to improve motor function.

Illustration of human nervous system highlighting brain and nerves.
Human muscular system diagram highlighting benefits of walking.

MUSCLE STRENGTH

Muscular

Walking strengthens major muscle groups throughout the body. Each step engages the muscles in your legs, hips, and core, helping build endurance and stability over time.

Regular walking improves muscle tone and flexibility. The continuous, controlled motion helps keep muscles warm and moving through their normal range, which can reduce stiffness and support smoother movement.

Walking also enhances muscular coordination. Because it requires your muscles to work together in a rhythmic pattern, it improves how efficiently they activate and support your body during daily tasks.

Consistent walking helps reduce muscle fatigue. As your muscles get stronger and more conditioned, they can handle longer periods of activity with less effort, making movement feel easier and more natural.

BONE AND JOINTS

Skeletal

Walking helps strengthen your bones by applying gentle, consistent weight‑bearing pressure. This stimulates bone‑building cells, helping maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis as you age.

Regular walking supports healthy joints. The movement increases the flow of synovial fluid—the natural lubrication inside your joints—which can reduce stiffness and improve comfort during daily activities.

Walking also enhances alignment and posture. As you walk, your body works to maintain an upright position. This supports proper spinal alignment and reduces strain on the hips, knees, and lower back.

The natural rhythm of walking helps improve overall skeletal stability. Stronger bones and well‑supported joints contribute to better balance and a lower risk of falls.

Human skeleton highlighting bones and joints for health benefits.
Kevin shares his inspiring full testimony at WalkPort.

We had the privilege of trying out Medthera’s new WalkPort machine for 30 days. First look at this product had me amazed at how compact it is, while adding more natural leg action into the design that can easily be adapted from a 6-foot patient to my 5-foot 2-inch wife. My wife, LuAnne, has been in physical therapy for 36 months. In that time, we have used 3 different styles of machines, most of which required one or two therapists to get her into. One took over 20 minutes to go from wheelchair to harness to the machine. Once in, one of the therapists would control the speed while the other would make sure LuAnne was OK and, in some cases, moving her leg. WalkPort does a fantastic job of addressing all the problems I have seen in the current style of machines on the market today.

The 3 area’s that I feel make it stand out.

1. The design is so easy to adjust to fit the patient. Once set up, the patient can do as much of the transfer from the wheelchair to the WalkPort as their disability will allow. In our case, LuAnne can roll up to the machine and get into the seat on her own. We have to position her right leg, which is paralyzed, into position and secure her foot. Once that is done, she can get herself to a standing position and start the motion of walking with no assistance from us. This allows her to walk for around a half hour quite easily.

2. The motion of the legs, knee and ankle is so close to actual walking movement, helping her re-establish the motor function of walking in her brain. The muscle gain and stamina were rather noticeable every day with major improvements over the course of our time with WalkPort. Towards the end of our 30 days, we had to limit LuAnne to an hour in the evening sessions as she was enjoying it so much.

3. The last and probably most valuable aspect is the attitude/excitement LuAnne expressed. She was incredibly proud of the work she was doing, especially how much of it she could perform unassisted. She always had a bright smile on her face when using the machine. She had gained such a boost in confidence while doing her exercises, from maneuvering around the machine on her own, to holding a standing position, to starting the motion of walking without assistance. She was very empowered seeing how much progress she was making on her own.

The size of this machine is about one-third the size of the other machines we had tried in the past. The first day we were introduced to the machine, LuAnne was in it and walking on her own within minutes. No motors controlling her stride. The enjoyment we saw on her face was so nice to see. Something else my daughter noticed was LuAnne walking forward for a while, then stopping and starting to walk backwards. I am not a therapist, but this seems to be a big deal to me.

In the end, LuAnne was able to gain muscle in her right leg and increase her stamina. We are still working on her walking on her own, but I am sure using this machine will reduce the time it will take to get to the next level of recovery.