Taking fewer daily steps at a faster pace may substantially lower the risk of early death by up to 43 percent, new research finds.
The study analyzed movement data from over 64,000 middle-aged participants in the UK Biobank who wore activity trackers for seven consecutive days between 2013 and 2015 to monitor the number and intensity of daily steps taken, according to a statement released Wednesday by Australia's Monash University.
Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the research found that walking at a brisker pace may be the sweet spot for those with sedentary lifestyles.
The findings could help people who struggle to increase their daily step count due to lack of time, disability or environmental restraints, said lead author Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis from the Monash School of Psychological Sciences.
"We found that the risk (of early death) was substantially lower among those achieving a higher stepping pace but fewer than 5,000 daily steps," Stamatakis said, adding the risk was also significantly reduced among those taking 5,000 to 7,500 daily steps at a slower pace.
The findings did not support the popular theory that everyone must take at least 10,000 steps a day to get fit, researchers said, adding that "every step counts" and how people take those steps can also matter.