Ten thousand steps per day has been widely recommended as the standard benchmark for physical activity — but a new study suggests that just 7000 could be enough to boost essential health markers.
Researchers from the University of Sydney conducted a review of 57 studies spanning more than 10 countries, which tracked participants’ steps and health outcomes.
Led by Professor Melody Ding from the School of Public Health, the team looked at how different daily step counts impacted the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer, as well as the risk of developing cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia and depression, according to a university press release.
And it turns out, you may not need as many steps as was first thought.
Researchers found that walking at least 7000 steps a day was linked to improvement in eight major health outcomes, including heart disease, dementia and depressive symptoms.
“Any increase in daily steps, even modest ones like 4000 steps, delivers health benefits compared to very low activity levels,” Ding toldFox News.
“When possible, targeting around 7000 steps per day can substantially reduce risks for many chronic diseases and adverse health outcomes.
“Even small increases in step counts, such as increasing from 2000 to 4000 steps a day, are associated with significant health gain.”
Higher step counts beyond 7000 may add extra benefits, but the improvement rate slows, she noted.
The results were published in The Lancet Public Health journal.