While we often talk about 10,000 steps a day, a study suggests that only 8,000 steps are enough to stay healthy.
In terms of number of recommended daily steps, it is sometimes difficult to find one’s way. The WHO wanted to give a key figure to the greatest number by recommending to walk 10,000 steps per day. But today, these figures are questioned by scientists.
New studies on the recommended number of steps are emerging regularly. And today, a new figure is put forward: 8,000 steps. If it seems quite similar at first sight with the recommendations of the WHO, this figure has a particularity. Indeed, the researchers explain that it would not be necessary to walk this number of steps every day.
These 8,000 steps would be recommended to reduce our risk of premature death. But according to a recent study published in JAMA Network, taking this number of steps once or twice a week would be enough for there to be an effect on our health.
A 15% reduction in the risk of premature death by walking 8,000 steps once or twice a week
For this new study, the researchers called on more than 3,100 volunteers. All were adults and from the United States. They did not receive any particular instructions and had to continue to take the same number of steps as usual. But the researchers counted the latter.
Then the second part of the study began 10 years later. The researchers used the same volunteers and their daily step counts. Then they analyzed their medical records and the risks of premature death. Finally, they are compared this data.
It appears that people walking more than 8,000 steps per day reduced the odds of premature death by an average of 14.9%. But the most interesting thing is that the percentage increases according to the adopted frequency. Thus, a person taking 8,000 steps a day at least 3 times a week sees the risk reduced by 16.5%.
Studies that contradict each other or that confirm the habits to adopt?
However, these numbers can be confusing and divisive. Indeed, another recently published study announced that it was necessary to walk 11 minutes a day to reduce the risk of premature death. However, certain criteria must be taken into account.
The study recommending 11 minutes of walking specifies that the walk must be tonic. On the other hand, the study of 8,000 steps does not imply a particular cadence. It can therefore be more gentle walking and even steps taken at home. In addition, the 11 minutes of active walking must imperatively be done every day to see the effects.
In themselves, the two studies do not contradict each other. Moreover, they can help to set up a routine according to the time available. Whatever the frequency adopted, walking regularly is essential to stay healthy.