Aims to Avoid Premature Demise: Scientists Uncover Key Targets
A new study published in The Lancet Public Health journal has challenged the widely accepted goal of walking 10,000 steps a day, suggesting that a more achievable and beneficial target is around 7,000 steps. The study, which analyzed data from 57 studies and over 160,000 people, found that compared to people walking only 2,000 steps per day, those walking 7,000 steps had a 47 percent lower risk of death from any cause within several years[1].
The study's findings indicate that the widely known 10,000-step goal lacks a solid evidence base. The research supports revising public health advice to emphasize 7,000 daily steps as a realistic and effective target for reducing chronic disease risk and improving longevity.
Experts highlight that the 7,000 steps include all daily steps (not just exercise steps), making this goal accessible and motivating for many individuals. This evidence supports the idea that five to seven thousand steps is already excellent prevention, as suggested by the study's findings.
Additional activity up to 10,000 steps only slightly increased the positive effect, with a 48% decrease in the likelihood of health problems. Interestingly, the study did not find a significant difference in health benefits between walking 7,000 steps and 10,000 steps.
According to the study's authors from Sydney University, additional thousands of steps beyond 7,000 provide less additional benefit. The study's findings challenge the widely accepted goal of walking 10,000 steps a day and have been reported by Financial Times.
It's worth noting that the figure of 10,000 steps originated in the 1960s as a marketing ploy by Japanese company Yamasa. The initial promotion of 10,000 steps was done by Yamasa during the Tokyo Olympics. Despite this lack of evidence, the figure has firmly established itself in health and fitness culture.
In some cases, such as depression, 10,000 steps can play a significant role. However, the key, according to experts, is regular physical activity, not chasing a specific number. The study's findings suggest that walking 7,000 steps a day significantly reduces the risk of death and serious illnesses, while walking fewer steps than 10,000 also has benefits. The study showed a reduction in risks of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and dementia when walking 7,000 steps a day.
In conclusion, the new study provides compelling evidence that a more achievable and beneficial daily step goal is around 7,000 steps. This revised goal emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity for overall health and longevity.
- The study, published in The Lancet Public Health journal, suggests that focusing on 7,000 steps a day instead of the traditional 10,000 could be more beneficial for cardiovascular health and the reduction of various medical-conditions such as cancer and type 2 diabetes.
- The new target of 7,000 steps aligns with the health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise recommendations and supports the notion that five to seven thousand steps is already an excellent prevention, especially for improving longevity and reducing the risk of serious illnesses like cardiovascular diseases.
- Experts argue that this achievable goal underscores the significance of regular physical activity in maintaining good health and well-being, rather than being fixated on specific numbers like 10,000 steps.
