The Myth of the Gospel of 10,000 Steps Daily for Health
Myths abound in wellness, and the only way to handle them is by refuting them with science. This is one of the prevalent ones, so here goes.
Wellness experts are shouting from the rooftops that anyone who wants to maintain their health must, if at all possible, walk at least 10,000 steps each day. The idea is a marketing myth, but it has spread like wildfire among the entire wellness community. People who don’t adhere to this mandate are made to feel guilty, ashamed, and in need of some strict instruction. But where did this idea germinate?
In the 1960s, Japan was where the concept of 10,000 steps first emerged. Manpo-kei, or “10,000 steps meter,” is the name of a pedometer created by the Yamasa pedometer firm. The business promoted the idea that getting 10,000 steps a day is essential for good health when marketing this product.
Unfortunately, there isn’t enough evidence to support the idea that everyone should walk 10,000 steps each day to achieve optimal health. The precise number of 10,000 steps was selected more for its catchy quality than for its basis in fact.
More complex understandings of the health advantages of exercise have been gained through scientific studies on physical activity. Adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic…
