Health experts challenge the necessity of the 10,000 daily step goal

Medical experts suggest that the common goal of 10,000 daily steps may not be a necessary magic number for health benefits. Cardiologist José Abellán notes that scientific evidence, including a study of over 110,000 patients, indicates an optimal dose of steps rather than a linear relationship between step count and health.

According to Abellán, the risk of mortality from all causes reaches an optimal point at approximately 8,700 steps per day, while the risk for cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, stabilizes at around 7,100 steps. He emphasizes that how one moves is as important as the total quantity.

Carlos Gutiérrez, clinical director of ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea, adds that walking cadence—the number of steps per minute—is a vital indicator of intensity. For healthy adults aged 50 to 60, maintaining a pace of approximately 100 to 105 steps per minute can serve as a useful threshold for moderate-intensity walking, which helps improve cardiorespiratory capacity and metabolic health.