10,000 steps a day has long been used as a guideline to get enough exercise. Where does that number actually come from?
To take 10,000 steps a day, the average office worker has to consciously try to take extra steps. For someone with health problems, it can sound like an unachievable goal.
We've heard sounds before that the number has been pulled out of thin air. A recent study also questions the 10,000-step rule. In 1965, a Japanese company sold pedometers. The name they used meant "the 10,000 steps meter" in Japanese. The researcher has spoken with Japanese researchers. The conclusion is that maybe this was because the sign for the number 10,000 looks a bit like a walking doll.
The study focused on older American women, who are not very active. At an average of 4,400 steps per day, they had the most health benefits. 10,000 steps turned out to be too much for them and to do more harm than good.
Some people don't move much – because of an illness, injury or bad condition. Taking 10,000 steps a day is way too much for that group. Getting a little more active than you normally are is a positive step for most people. In addition, walking is not the right form of exercise for everyone. Swimming or cycling can just as well contribute to health. According to the research, a goal of 10,000 steps does not have to be immediately attached. Setting such a goal can discourage the people who need extra exercise the most.
