The latest research conducted by scientists from Australia, Norway and Spain at a sample of 160,000 people indicate that the performance of 7,000 steps a day can significantly improve health – writes the portal Rynekzdrowia.pl.
The results of the analysis, published in the prestigious magazine “Lancet Public Health”, show that such a number of steps is associated with a reduction in the risk of various diseases, including:
– dementia by 38 percent,
– cardiovascular disease by 25 %,
– depression by 22 %,
– cancer by 6 percent
The study compared the passage of 7,000 steps a day with a minimal activity of 2,000 steps. Scientists emphasize, however, that some data may be less precise due to a limited number of cases analyzed.
How many steps a day is enough? Moderate activity better than no movement
Experts point out that even moderate physical activity, such as the passage of 4,000 steps a day, brings health benefits compared to very low activity. At the same time, walking for higher distances, above 7,000 steps, is associated with additional benefits, especially for the cardiovascular system.
Interestingly, most health guidelines, such as those developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), focus more on the time of physical activity than on the number of steps. WHO recommends that adults devote at least 150 minutes a week to moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes for intensive activity.
10 thousand steps. Where did this myth come from?
According to Dr. Melody Ding from the University of Sydney, the main author of the study, the popular belief in the need to take 10,000 steps a day is not confirmed by science. As he explains, this number comes from an advertising campaign of a Japanese pedometer called “Manpo-Kei” (which means “a meter of 10,000 steps”), which was introduced to the market before the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964. “This number was torn out of the context and has become an unofficial standard that is promoted today by fitness applications”-adds Dr. Ding.
Dr. Andrew Scott, a lecturer in physiology at the University of Portsmouth, also emphasizes that the exact number of steps is not crucial. “More movement is always better than less,” he says, reassuring that the lack of achieving a specific goal of steps should not be a reason to worry.
Although 10 thousand Steps a day can be a motivating goal, research suggests that 7,000 steps brings measurable health effects. It is crucial to regularly undertake physical activity, regardless of whether we achieve “magical” numbers. As experts emphasize, every step counts towards a healthier life.
Source: Rynekzdrowia.pl
