Fewer Steps but a Brisker Pace Linked to Lower Death Risk
Graded Moderate — a large observational study of 64,743 adults wearing wrist devices; it shows links but cannot prove that walking pace itself protects.
- Design
- Prospective cohort study
- Participants
- 64,743
- Duration
- —
- Funding
- National Health and Medical Research Council
People taking fewer than 5,000 steps a day had a lower risk of dying when they walked at a brisker pace.
In a large British study, people who walked little but walked briskly died less often. This held even for people taking fewer than 5,000 steps a day. If their fastest 30 minutes averaged 80 steps per minute, their risk of dying was 28 percent lower. Those minutes did not have to come in one stretch. The comparison group walked just as little, but very slowly.
The researchers used data from UK Biobank, a large British health study. In it, 64,743 adults wore a wrist device that recorded their steps and pace. The team then tracked who died. The lowest risk appeared at 7,500 to 10,000 steps a day with a pace of about 100 steps per minute: 43 percent lower. Age and other factors were taken into account.
Deaths from heart and blood vessel disease followed a similar pattern. The authors conclude that different mixes of step count and pace might help prevent early deaths. Still, the study only observed who lived longer. It cannot tell whether walking faster itself lowers the risk.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.