Researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia and University of Southern Denmark conducted studies which found lowered risk of dementia, heart disease, cancer and death are associated with achieving 10,000 steps a day. The studies, published in leading journals JAMA Internal Medicine and JAMA Neurology, monitored 78, 500 adults with wearable trackers – making these the largest studies to objectively track step count in relation to health outcomes.
However, a faster stepping pace like a power walk showed benefits above and beyond the number of steps achieved. 9,800 steps was the optimal dose linked to lower risk of dementia by 50 percent, however risk was reduced by 25 percent at as low as 3,800 steps a day.
The take-home message is that being active is vitally important to prevent numerous adverse health outcomes such as cognitive decline and dementia.