Anyone who wants to stay healthy has certainly already heard about the goal of 10,000 steps per day. This magical number is often recommended as an ideal measure of daily walks. But is it really useful, isn’t it?
Where does the goal of the 10,000 steps? And are we really sure that following him is always a good idea? This ploy is enough for stay fit?
His birth takes place in the Sixties, in Japan
Take at least 10,000 steps a day it may seem almost a panacea against all ills. In fact, many people set this daily goal on their trusty smartphone’s pedometer. However, hardly anyone wonders where does this number come fromso clear.
First of all, it is important to know that the goal of 10,000 steps per day it would not be the result of careful scientific researchica. Rather, it is a slogan invented for a 1960s advertising campaign. So it is something rather old man and not as innovative as many have led us to believe.
The person in charge of this marketing operation was il dottor Yoshiro Hatanowho at the time was working as a researcher at the University of Kyushu, Japan.
Seriously concerned by the growing sedentary lifestyle of his countrymen, the man wanted to promote a very effective strategy but also of simple application to help the Japanese a to stay fit. Thus, on the occasion of the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, it was launched on the market a first pedometercalled man-po-kei. A decidedly not accidental name since it literally means 10,000-step-counter.
Walking is not enough to be at the top
The number 10,000 was chosen because it seemed at the time a good goal in general to try to reduce cardiovascular risks. Plus, it sounded good as a slogan and within the product name. Not for nothing, data in hand, the pedometer was a great commercial success. Since then, however, research has continued to investigate the benefits of walking. And now the question is: the 10,000 step goal really still makes sense?
Assuming that walking is important, free and basically accessible to almost everyone, however, it is not the tool that alone can help us keep fit. In fact, if we do not combine walking, preferably fast, with a healthy diet, drinking two liters of water a day, and other motor activities, we will hardly be able to have a body at the top. However, walking is always useful to help us prevent cardiovascular and oncological diseases.
It is important to walk fast
Taking 10,000 steps a day is anyway an excellent indication for the elderly or for people who are just not used to walking. In short, the goal would be fine to start moving.
However, do 10,000 steps a day it takes time: how can someone who does not have time to devote to daily walk keep fit? In this case, let’s forget about 10,000 steps per day. Those who want to stay healthy but – unfortunately – are in a hurry it could be limited to 3,000 steps.
But beware: the walk must be a sustained speed. In fact, international guidelines recommend at least thirty minutes of moderate aerobic activity. By walking briskly, they can be accomplished well 3,000 steps in half an hour. If this goal is too difficult, there is – however – not to despair. It is enough – in fact – to start with ten minutes of exercise and then gradually increase the duration.
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