ATHENS, Ga., July 18 (UPI) -- Older adults can increase their likelihood of retaining independence by 41 percent with regular walking, U.S. researchers say.

The study, published in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, also found participants in a walking exercise program increased their peak aerobic capacity -- maximal oxygen intake -- by 19 percent and increased physical functioning by 25 percent, compared to a control group.

"In the past decade, researchers have focused on the benefits of strength training in maintaining independence, but until now we didn't have good evidence using an objective performance measure that a walking program would improve physical functioning," study co-author M. Elaine Cress of the University of Georgia in Athens says in a statement. "Our study found that walking offers tremendous health benefits that can help older adults stay independent."

The researchers randomly assigned 26 low-income adults age 60 and older to either a walking exercise group, which met three times a week for four months, or a nutrition education control group. Initially, the group would walk for 10 minutes continually. As the weeks progressed, they increased their walking time to 40 continuous minutes. Each session began with a 10-minute warm-up and ended with a 10-minute cool-down that included balance and flexibility exercises.