Walking once a week reduces risk of death – 03/29/2023 – Equilibrium

Walking about 6 km once or twice a week significantly reduces the risk of mortality, according to a study released on Tuesday (28) in the United States.

While frequent physical exercise is known to decrease the chances of early death, research published in the journal JAMA Network Open has verified the health benefits of brisk walking a few days a week.

The study, carried out by researchers at Kyoto University and the University of California, analyzed the data of 3,100 American adults.

The research found that those who walked 8,000 steps (or 4 miles) or more one or two days a week were 14.9% less likely to die over a 10-year period than those who never reached that goal.

For those who walked at least this amount or three to seven days a week, the mortality risk was lower, at 16.5%.

The health benefits of walking 8,000 steps or more one or two days a week appeared greatest for those age 65 and older.

“These findings suggest that people can gain substantial health benefits from walking just a few days a week,” say the researchers.

The study counted the daily steps of the 3,100 participants between 2005 and 2006, and their mortality data were examined 10 years later.

Among them, those who did not reach 8,000 steps or more on any day of the week were 632. Those who reached one to two days were 532. Those who recorded this walk from three to seven days were 1,937.

The average American walks 2.4 to 3.2 km a day (between 3,000 and 4,000 steps), according to the Mayo Clinic, which claims that activity, done on a regular basis, can reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression.