Health & Wellness
Best Doctors: Do You Really Need 10,000 Steps A Day?
We look into the marketing-driven history of the 10,000 steps a day rule.
by Alexandra Tinline | Jul. 31, 2019 | 12:00 PM
The goal might as well be carved into our pedometers — for prime physical health, an adult should walk 10,000 steps a day. But that recommendation, it turns out, may be based more in marketing than medicine. In search of peak pedometer power, we asked Dr. Usharani V. Tandra, doctor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Southwest General, to help us separate fact from fiction.
The History
Turns out, the 10,000 steps endorsement actually originated in the advertising campaign for the Manpo-Kei, a Japanese pedometer released in 1965 whose name literally translates to “10,000 steps meter.” “When this all started there was no scientific proof that the 10,000 steps was what you actually need,” says Tandra. “It was all marketing.”
The Research
In truth, recent studies have shown a person should take an average number of 4,000 to 5,000 steps per day. You can take more, but research suggests that even those taking up to 7,500 steps are getting basically the same benefits as their less active counterparts. The higher recommendations, Tandra says, “became more popular to increase overall healthy habits.”
The Brain Benefits
“These steps are critical to brain health,” says Tandra. “[That amount] releases certain chemicals and endorphins in the brain, and those chemicals affect the growth of blood vessels that help you sleep, focus, combat dementia, depression and anxiety.” Research also found that for maximum benefits, speed is a critical factor. Walking at a pace that allows you to reach your target heart rate increases the amount of oxygen traveling to the brain, which benefits brain growth, critical thinking and memory.
How Aerobic exercise boosts brain health.
From couch potato to gym rat, no matter what level your fitness routine is at we have a brain-boosting workout for you.
Click here to read the more articles from Best Doctors: Special Brain Health Report cover package.
The History
Turns out, the 10,000 steps endorsement actually originated in the advertising campaign for the Manpo-Kei, a Japanese pedometer released in 1965 whose name literally translates to “10,000 steps meter.” “When this all started there was no scientific proof that the 10,000 steps was what you actually need,” says Tandra. “It was all marketing.”
The Research
In truth, recent studies have shown a person should take an average number of 4,000 to 5,000 steps per day. You can take more, but research suggests that even those taking up to 7,500 steps are getting basically the same benefits as their less active counterparts. The higher recommendations, Tandra says, “became more popular to increase overall healthy habits.”
The Brain Benefits
“These steps are critical to brain health,” says Tandra. “[That amount] releases certain chemicals and endorphins in the brain, and those chemicals affect the growth of blood vessels that help you sleep, focus, combat dementia, depression and anxiety.” Research also found that for maximum benefits, speed is a critical factor. Walking at a pace that allows you to reach your target heart rate increases the amount of oxygen traveling to the brain, which benefits brain growth, critical thinking and memory.
How Aerobic exercise boosts brain health.
From couch potato to gym rat, no matter what level your fitness routine is at we have a brain-boosting workout for you.
Click here to read the more articles from Best Doctors: Special Brain Health Report cover package.
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