Is Your Step Count Too Low? Try Walking Faster
In a new study, researchers found that people can get health benefits from walking fast over short periods—and from walking slowly for longer.
Walking faster can lower the risk of death just as much as walking slower for a longer period of time, according to researchers who analyzed data from the UK Biobank. In the study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, participants who walked fewer than 5,000 steps a day had better health outcomes when they walked at a brisk pace of about 100 steps per minute compared to those who walked more slowly.
Conversely, people who walked more slowly but for longer durations, taking 5,000-7,500 steps a day, also experienced a reduction in their risk of death. This suggests that individuals who are sedentary could improve their health by incorporating brief periods of faster walking. Dr. Shaan Kurshid, a cardiac electrophysiologist, notes that while the concept of steps resonates with people, improving understanding of how to best use this metric is crucial for guiding healthier habits.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
