An international research team from the University of Sydney has determined the optimal number of daily steps for people with a sedentary lifestyle. The well-known 9,000 to 10,000 steps have once again been highlighted, despite being contested by other studies. This work was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
The study involved 72,174 volunteers from the UK Biobank. Over an average of 6.9 years, participants were required to wear accelerometers on their wrists. They were divided into groups based on “high” (over 10.6 hours per day) and “low” sitting time.
It turned out that among those who sat extensively but also walked 9,000 to 10,000 steps daily, the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases dropped by 21%, and the risk of death fell by 39% compared to those who walked very little.
Experts note that even 4,000 to 4,500 steps per day provide a 50% protective effect. Any movement exceeding 2,200 steps reduced the risks of death and heart disease, regardless of the time spent sitting.
This work underscores the importance of an active lifestyle. While there are various forms of physical activity, walking remains the most accessible method.
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