Walking intensity and daily step counts linked to lower mortality risk

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine indicates that both the number of daily steps and walking intensity are key factors in preventing premature mortality. Research suggests that different combinations of step counts and walking speeds offer various health benefits.

For adults taking fewer than 5,000 steps per day, walking at a faster pace is associated with a “substantially lower” risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. For those accumulating between 5,000 and 7,500 steps, walking at a slower pace can provide a mortality risk comparable to those who walk fewer steps at a higher intensity. The lowest risk of mortality from all causes is associated with walking between 7,500 and 10,000 steps daily.

Researchers suggest that maintaining a pace of 90 to 100 steps per minute for half an hour a day could be a “promising goal” for preventing premature death, regardless of the total daily step count.