Faster Walking May Lower Risk of Early Death: Study

Image: Representational

Taking fewer daily steps at a faster pace may substantially lower the risk of early death by up to 43 percent, according to new research.

The study analysed movement data from more than 64,000 middle-aged participants in the UK Biobank who wore activity trackers for seven consecutive days between 2013 and 2015 to monitor the number and intensity of their daily steps.

Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the research found that walking at a brisker pace may be particularly beneficial for people with sedentary lifestyles.

The findings could help people who struggle to increase their daily step count because of limited time, disability or environmental constraints, said lead author Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis of the Monash School of Psychological Sciences.

“We found that the risk (of early death) was substantially lower among those achieving a higher stepping pace but fewer than 5,000 daily steps,” Stamatakis said.

He added that the risk was also significantly reduced among those taking 5,000 to 7,500 daily steps at a slower pace.

The findings did not support the popular belief that everyone needs to take at least 10,000 steps a day to improve their fitness, the researchers said.

They emphasised that “every step counts” and that the way people take those steps can also matter.