Study suggests lower step goals for seniors

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in October 2025 challenges the common recommendation of 10,000 daily steps for seniors, suggesting that a lower goal may be more realistic and beneficial.

Research focuses on older women

The research was conducted by Harvard University as part of the Women's Health Study, tracking 13,547 women in the United States who had an average age of 71.8 years over a period of 10.9 years.

Key findings on health benefits

Women who took at least 4,000 steps per day, one to two days per week, experienced a 26 percent reduction in the risk of death and a 27 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the study.

Methodology involved activity sensors

Participants wore activity sensors to measure their steps over seven days, allowing researchers to accurately track their physical activity levels and correlate them with health outcomes.

Experts emphasize minimal activity importance

The study's authors, including Rikuta Hamaya from Mass General Brigham and I-Min Lee from Harvard University, stress the importance of identifying the minimal amount of physical activity needed to improve health, especially for less active seniors.