NEW DELHI: Research showed that 3,867 daily steps will be sufficient to begin reducing the risk of all-cause mortality, while just 2,337 steps per day demonstrated potential in decreasing the risk of dying from heart disease. These benefits from these daily steps extended universally across genders and geographical locations.
The study also unveiled that the each additional 1,000 steps translated into a 15% decreased risk of all-cause mortality, while an extra 500 steps daily correlated with a 7% reduction in the risk of dying from heart disease.
A meta-analysis, featured in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, scrutinized data from seventeen extensive studies involving over 226,000 participants worldwide. The research encompassed participants of both genders, with an average age of 64. The investigation focused on daily step counts and their correlations with all-cause mortality and other variables.
As the bodies are inherently designed for motion, walking serves as an ideal entry point into a more active life, especially for adults falling short of
recommended exercise levels
.
Past research has firmly connected walking to weight loss, emphasizing its ability to boost long-term energy expenditure. Studies have further indicated that regular walking can mitigate the risk of cardiovascular disease, enhance cognitive function, and even alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
Recent findings suggest that substantial benefits can be reaped at significantly lower daily step counts than the conventional 10,000 steps daily, which may be impractical for many.
The study affirmed that benefits emerged at every age. However, the most substantial health advantages were observed in individuals under 60.
Fitness experts recommend commencing with 15-minute walking sessions at a moderate pace for three to five days a week, adjusting the frequency and duration over time to reach 30-minute sessions five days a week.