Walking is the simplest form of exercise, but it has enormous benefits.
As our lifestyles become ever more sedentary, doctors areincreasingly prescribing walksto address medical conditions and our general wellbeing.
But how can patients stay motivated to keep it up?
And how can doctors keep track of their progress?
Thats where Lithuanian startup Walk15 comes in.
Founded in 2019, Walk15 is on a mission to engage people in physical activity.
Thestartuphas built Lithuanias largest fitness community, engaging 20% of the countrys population.
It counts over 625,000 app users across the globe, while 1,300 companies are using its platform.
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Today, Walk15 is taking the biggest step yet in its journey.
In a pilot called Personal Prescription Steps, the startup is combining itstechwith public healthcare services.
Well be like a pharmacy for walking.
The initiative will provide personalised doctor recommendations on the number and bang out of steps they need to take.
We will be like a pharmacy for walking, co-founder and CEO Vlada Musvydaite-Vilciauske tells TNW.
The partnership, she adds, can bring real change.
The idea of the steps prescription came to Musvydaite-Vilciauske four years ago during a project with a pharmaceutical company.
I had a question then why do we write prescriptions to get well?
Why dont we write a prescription so we dont get sick?
How does the Personal Steps Prescription work?
The process is very simple.
I got a personalised sample prescription for myself.
I also noticed a significant improvement: I became more aware of how sedentary my lifestyle is.
And the closer I was to reaching the goal, the more motivated I felt.
A key aspect of this tool is that doctors have access to the patients activity.
She stresses that the pilots aim is to also educate patients on physical activity and wellness.
Take a walk, not a pill
Lets talk numbers, Musvydaite-Vilciauske says.
Medical researchshowsthat exercise can indeed have benefits equivalent to pharmacological treatments.
It is also associated withimproved mental healthand lower levels of stress and anxiety.
People go to the pharmacy and buy ibuprofen of 1,000mg, Musvydaite-Vilciauske says.
But what if that was 5,000 steps instead?
Story byIoanna Lykiardopoulou
Ioanna is a writer at TNW.
With a background in the humanities, she has a soft spot for social impact-enabling technologies.
