Daily step counts linked to lower risk of neurological disease

Research involving tens of thousands of participants suggests that long-term physical activity patterns, measured via wearable devices, may help predict the risk of neurological conditions.

A study of over 22,000 American adults participating in the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program found that individuals with lower average daily step counts had higher rates of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or transient ischemic attacks. The least-active group, averaging approximately 4,800 steps per day, experienced a diagnosis rate roughly 80% higher than the most-active group.

In a separate study published in Scientific Reports involving over 3,000 participants, researchers found that consistent walking was linked to better performance on cognitive tests measuring attention, focus, and decision-making. Participants averaging around 8,875 steps per day performed significantly better on brain function tests than those averaging 5,000 steps, showing results comparable to those walking over 10,000 steps daily.

While the data indicates a correlation between movement and brain health, researchers noted that low step counts do not necessarily cause neurological disease. Factors such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression were also more prevalent among less-active participants, which may influence these outcomes.