The reality of hitting 10,000 steps a day

While walking 10,000 steps a day is a really good target for most people, in reality, the threshold depends on a variety of factors like age, sex, existing illnesses and physical fitness levels.

For any person who is willing to begin their fitness journey, the goal of 10,000 steps a day may seem to be a great starting point. But before you make up your mind, tie your shoelaces and think about hitting the street, it is important to mention that the 10,000 steps mark isn’t an end-all, be-all target for all people.

From young to old, obese to fit, the step count parameter is wildly different and as it might seem obvious, depends on a variety of factors.

Walking 10,000 steps a day has long been promoted as a healthy and achievable target for most adults. The concept behind is quite simple - walking as much as possible is good for the body and mind. In fact, the recommendation for achieving 10,000 steps a day first emerged in Japan in the 1960s.

There was an increased need to promote physical activity among the adult populations and improve the overall health and prosperity of the country. Since then, the idea has caught on and has become a widely promoted target for adults all over the world. However, as we age, all our bodies also change and respond differently to the target that we may be chasing. This just means that there is no hard and fast rule regarding the 10,000 steps rule.

A study conducted by researchers at Brigham Young University, found that older adults who walked at least 7,000 steps per day had a lower risk of premature death than those who walked fewer steps. However, the study also found that walking more than 10,000 steps per day did not provide any additional health benefits.

Moreover, there was another study conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts. They had discovered that women who walked 10,000 steps per day had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who walked fewer steps.

However, the catch is that the study found no significant difference in men who walked 10,000 steps every day compared to those who walked lower.

This suggests that the 10,000 steps per day step count is not applicable to every age group and every sex. While it may be beneficial for women to aim for 10,000 steps per day, men may not see the same benefits. Moreover, older people may not even need to hit as many as 10,000 steps every day to maintain a strong fitness level.

An active person may find it easier to stick to the 10,000 steps per day challenge while someone who is sedentary may find it easier to start from a lower threshold and gradually build up their fitness. In any case, it must be kept in mind that there are no ill effects to walking and the more you walk, the better it is for your body and mind.