Research suggests every extra step up to 10,000 reduces risk even if rest of the day is sedentary

Walking up to 10,000 steps a day lowers the risk of heart disease and early death, even when spending the rest of the day sedentary, research suggests.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that every extra step above 2,200 steps a day – up to about 10,000 – reduces these risks, regardless of how much of the remaining time is spent sitting.

Experts found the lowest risk of early death was among people who took 9,000 to 10,500 steps a day.

When it came to avoiding stroke and heart attack, the lowest risks were in people taking about 9,700 steps a day.

The study, led by academics at the University of Sydney, analysed data from more than 70,000 people aged around 61 from the UK Biobank.

  • paddirn@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    The 10,000 steps a day thing came about as a result of a Japanese pedometer marketing campaign (Manpo-kei), but there was no science behind it, it was just a nice round number that sounded right. Though it’s nice to see more evidence for 10k, I’d seen that a “good” amount of steps was something around 7k-8k steps, though you still do get benefits above that, the benefits tend to plateau and you’re not getting as much benefit after that point.

    • RamblingPanda@lemmynsfw.com
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      9 months ago

      I work from home and live with two dogs. I had 18k yesterday and I don’t know when I had less than 8k the last time.

  • Droggelbecher@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    So what happens above 10,000? Is it just diminishing returns? Pointless? Harmful even (joint wear or something)?