Scientists have dispelled the myth of the benefits of 10 thousand steps a day
Everyone has probably heard about the benefits of 10 thousand steps that you need to do every day to maintain your health. With the advent of gadgets that count steps, this theory has become even more popular. But, as it turned out, this fact, which many considered scientific, is nothing more than a myth. This was found out by WHO experts in the course of serious scientific research.
Experimentally, scientists have found that the real benefit is not steps, but daily 20-minute physical activity, and moderate. This can be running, walking, gymnastic exercises, mobile work and any other actions. The main condition for efficiency is the continuity of such a load.
It must be said that four 5-minute walks at a brisk pace during the day are not at all equivalent to one, but 20 minutes. Given the physical capabilities of a person, it is almost impossible to walk 10 thousand steps in twenty minutes, so the statement about such a need for health does not stand up to criticism.
Where did this figure come from, which many fans of an active lifestyle took as a basis? It turns out that the myth of 10 thousand steps originated in Japan back in the 1960s. The name of the author of this statement, as well as whether it is confirmed by any research, remains a mystery. European experts suggest that the appearance of the story about the steps is directly related to the invention of compact pedometers – cunning marketers needed to give people a reason to buy these devices.
Nowadays, scientists from the European Union have found that in order to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, it is enough to take 5-6 thousand steps a day. Such, quite moderate physical activity, according to available scientific data, also reduces the likelihood of cancer.
The research of European scientists has found full support overseas. At a meeting of the American Association for Health Promotion, Dr. Greg Hager stated that 10 thousand steps cannot be a standard, since different people have different needs for physical activity.
In this regard, you can safely stop obsessing over pedometer data and start taking care of your health and shape, doing moderate physical activity from 20 minutes a day. At the same time, without any doubt, it is better to rely on scientific facts, and not on myths born in the middle of the last century.