Orthopedic surgeon warns walking 10,000 steps is insufficient for healthy aging

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Óscar Ares has warned that walking 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day is insufficient to maintain physical capacity and autonomy during old age. While walking is a beneficial activity, Ares emphasizes that maintaining adequate musculature and bone health during adulthood is critical for future quality of life.

He suggests that the foundation for mobility in later years must be built decades in advance, stating that the best way to ensure independence by age 70 is to begin proactive physical maintenance in one's 40s. To achieve this, he recommends incorporating muscle strength training into daily routines alongside walking.