Correlation Between Step Count and Health: At Least 2,600 Steps a Day!
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37676198/ Summary Walking at least 2,600 steps a day benefits heart health and reduces mortality, with gains increasing up to 8,800 steps. Key points Walking 2,600 steps per day significantly reduces mortality. 2,800 steps lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Mortality benefits increase up to 8,800 steps. Cardiovascular risk reduction peaks at 7,200 steps. Moderate or fast walking pace benefits mortality reduction more than slow pace. Step counts positively impact health regardless of gender. Hip-worn accelerometers provide more accurate health predictions than wrist-worn ones. Significant health improvements are observed starting at 2,600 steps compared to 2,000. Step count is a simple activity measure, but the direct causal link to health improvement isn't certain. Breaking up sedentary time by walking may be more important than a high step count. Conclusion Walking more than 2,600 steps daily reduces mortality and cardiovascular disease risk. Health benefits increase as step count rises, up to 8,800 steps. Hip-worn accelerometers provide the most accurate health risk predictions. Faster walking pace offers additional mortality reduction benefits. Consistent physical activity is more important than just aiming for a high step count.