Topic: Health benefits of walking

You know that saying, “Every step counts”?

It’s actually spot on.

In a recent study published in Sports Medicine, researchers found that, for more than 28,0000 adults of all ages, every 1,000 daily step increase was associated with a 12 percent lower risk of death from all causes.

These findings held true even after accounting for BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking status, pre-existing health conditions, and step intensity.

According to the scientists, the benefits began at 2,500 steps and continued up to 17,000 steps.

The take-home message: While we’re often told to shoot for 10,000 daily steps, just consistently moving more than you are now can make a meaningful difference over the long run.

And after all: If you’re currently taking 3,000 steps, achieving the 10,000 steps “standard” might sound so unrealistic you don’t even bother to try.

But could you add 1,000 to start? As this research shows, it’s enough to provide a benefit, and you can build from there.

Besides, that’s how lasting change happens: a little at a time.

PMID: 34417979

Jayedi A, Gohari A, Shab-Bidar S. Daily Step Count and All-Cause Mortality: A Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Sports Med. 2022 Jan;52(1):89–99.