Contrary to popular belief, this is the ideal number of daily steps.

 This is the ideal number of daily steps

 

Contrary to popular belief, this is the ideal number of daily steps.

For decades, the goal of walking 10,000 steps a day has been popularized as a benchmark for health and fitness, but a recent study has revealed that this number is not as accurate as many believe. A study found that walking 7,000 steps a day significantly reduces the risk of death and chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

These findings come from the largest scientific review of the relationship between step count and health. Researchers combined data from 57 different studies that included more than 160,000 people followed over two decades. They combined the results to reveal patterns that may not appear in individual studies.

The study explained that the 10,000-step number emerged in the 1960s as a result of a marketing campaign by a Japanese pedometer manufacturer and was not based on strong scientific evidence, as commonly believed. The researchers concluded that the greatest health gains occur at 7,000 steps a day, with walking this number of steps providing significant health protection, up to a 47 percent lower risk of death compared to walking only 2,000 steps.

The study also showed that benefits begin at 2,500 steps per day, a reasonable number for everyone, especially the elderly and those with health conditions. These steps can be easily achieved through normal daily activities, not necessarily through walking as a separate exercise.

The study emphasizes that what matters most is increasing daily movement compared to current levels, rather than adhering to an arbitrary goal. The researchers recommend that walking goals be realistic and appropriate for each individual, noting that 7,000 steps per day is a healthy and practical goal, especially for older or inactive individuals.