Daily step counts linked to improved cognitive attention

A longitudinal study spanning 14 years has identified a significant association between daily physical activity and cognitive performance. Researchers analyzed objective movement data from 3,093 American adults, aged 18 to 93, using wearable devices from the National Institutes of Health’s ‘All of Us’ program.

The study categorized participants into three groups based on average daily steps: 5,108, 8,875, and 14,161. Results indicated that individuals in the two more active groups consistently outperformed the least active group in tasks involving sustained attention and distraction control.

While the research shows a positive correlation between higher step counts and better results in cognitive tests—including decision-making and facial emotion recognition—researchers noted that the study does not establish a specific ideal number of steps nor prove that walking more is the direct cause of improved mental performance.