Study reveals the number of steps you need to take every day to live longer

'Eat a balanced diet, hydrate regularly, limit stress and get moving'. Even if we don't always follow this advice, most of us are familiar with the basic requirements for a healthy lifestyle. One of the easiest is to get moving. This includes intense sports sessions, but also the simple act of walking. And a recent study has revealed just how many steps you need to take every day to live longer.

The ideal number of steps is ...

And no, let's face it, you don't have to walk 10km every day to gain years of life. According to a study published in the Lancet Public Health journal, taking an average of 6,000 steps a day can improve quality of life and life expectancy. The risk of premature death is reduced by 40%.

To arrive at this average, the experts studied the medical and lifestyle data of no fewer than 50,000 people. And according to Professor Amanda Paluch of the University of Massachusetts, there's no need to kill yourself by pushing it too far.

We observed a progressive reduction in health risks as the number of steps increased, until it reached a plateau.

Clearly, if you want to do more, fine, but beyond a certain limit it won't be more beneficial.

Number of steps by age group

The authors of the study suggest that for adults over 50, the number of steps to achieve is between 6,000 and 8,000. For adults under 50, on the other hand, it's between 8,000 and 10,000 steps. And it's worth pointing out that speed is irrelevant - the key is to reach this number of steps.

But why is it so important to get moving? The sedentary lifestyle is bad on all counts. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), not moving enough can lead to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. Without exercise, muscles are less powerful, joints more fragile and we lack the mobility to perform simple everyday movements.

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This article has been translated from Gentside FR.

Sources used:

Lancet Public Health Journal: How many steps lead to longevity? Study identifies new daily goals

WHO: Physical activity