WALK THIS WAY(or dont!)

Is the 10,000 walking steps a day an arbitrary figure suggested by history and health professionals? Or is it based on scientific evidence? Dave Hamilton puts his walking boots on to discover the truth

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We have all heard the countless health claims attributed to taking 10,000 steps a day. This simple activity has been said to cut the risk of heart disease, lower obesity rates, reduce the risk of diabetes and may even reduce incidences of certain forms of cancer.

Aside from our physical health, walking may also improve our mental health, we sleep better after taking 10,000 steps and symptoms of both anxiety and depression are greatly reduced.

A walk to work can also go a long way to reduce carbon emissions, increase our sense of community and save us money on fuel. For those with demanding jobs and family pressures, it might also give us a few precious moments of time to ourselves!

The myth of 10,000 steps

But there is a lot to question. Is it really necessary to do as many as 10,000 steps a day or if it is just an arbitrary figure? Are shorter, brisk walks just as effective?

Was this number plucked from the air or is there does it have some scientific backing? Are there equivalent exercises suitable for those who simply do not have the time and are these just as good if not better?

Origin of 10,000 steps

To answer these questions, it’s best to start at the beginning and ask where the idea of 10,000 steps came from. After the Second World War many nations, including Japan, went through tremendous social changes. Urbanisation, the introduction of television, increased car use meant the population were becoming increasingly sedentary.