**Daily Step Count for Better Health: New Study Suggests 7,000 Steps May Be Enough**
For years, the benchmark of 10,000 daily steps has been widely regarded as the gold standard for maintaining health and staving off disease. However, recent research indicates that a lower target may still offer substantial health benefits, particularly for those who find the higher goal daunting.
A fresh analysis, spearheaded by academics from the University of Sydney, has challenged long-held beliefs about the necessity of reaching five-digit step counts. The study synthesised data pooled from multiple international sources, including participants from the UK, and examined outcomes for tens of thousands of adults over varying lengths of time.
The findings, published in *The Lancet Public Health*, suggest that significant improvements in health markers are observable with as few as 7,000 steps per day. This lower, more achievable figure was linked to a pronounced reduction in the risk of several major diseases. According to the data, individuals achieving 7,000 daily steps saw a 25% reduction in heart disease risk, a 14% drop in type 2 diabetes, and a 38% lower risk of developing dementia. Additionally, the risk of depression was found to decrease by 22% for those reaching this step count.
Furthermore, the relationship between steps and risk of premature death proved particularly striking. The study reported that those walking 7,000 steps daily were almost half as likely to die as their counterparts who walked just 2,000 steps. Although the specific number of steps did not appear to make a marked difference in the likelihood of developing cancer, a higher daily count was associated with a 37% lower chance of dying from the disease when compared to those at the lowest activity levels.
Experts involved in the research emphasised that while 10,000 steps remains a commendable target for the more active, aiming for 7,000 steps represents a realistic and still meaningful compromise for many. *“Even modest daily step counts were associated with health benefits,”* the authors wrote, highlighting that incremental increases in daily activity can make a tangible difference.
External experts welcomed the analysis and its implications. Dr Daniel Bailey, Reader in Sedentary Behaviour and Health at Brunel University London, noted, *“This helps dispel the myth that 10,000 steps is the only target worth pursuing. The evidence shows that even 5,000 to 7,000 steps daily leads to a significant reduction in many health risks.”* Dr Bailey added that each additional 1,000 steps a person takes per day – up to 12,000 – is linked to further improvements, underlining the cumulative benefits of increased movement.
Meanwhile, Dr Andrew Scott, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Portsmouth, reiterated that, as expected, more activity is generally advantageous, but the gains become less dramatic as step counts climb higher. He also pointed out that whilst step counts are a valuable metric for weight-bearing activities, they are less helpful when it comes to tracking exercise from swimming, cycling, or rowing, which do not fit neatly into a steps-based model.
Public health advocates have long encouraged people to find ways to incorporate more movement into their daily routines, regardless of how modest those increases may seem. The results of this extensive analysis may reassure those who feel daunted by lofty targets, offering practical encouragement: every extra step, no matter how small, matters.
In summary, while those who consistently pass the 10,000-step mark each day will continue to reap incremental advantages, experts recommend individuals focus on realistic, attainable goals. Adopting a target of 7,000 steps can deliver marked protection against disease and early death, particularly for those who are currently less active.
As physical inactivity continues to pose a significant global health challenge, the research sends a vital message: achieving better health could be closer, and easier, than previously thought for millions aiming to improve their activity levels.