New research shows: 10,000 steps have little impact

During the corona times, it was pretty much my only concrete goal or activity every day: to reach those 10,000 steps. Yep, for me, corona meant walking, walking, and more walking. And of course, feeling proud when you hit those 10,000 steps again, because it’s quite something. I genuinely thought I would become fitter from it. Well, it’s definitely good for you, but getting fit, not so much.

A new study conducted by scientists from the Exercise Science Department and the Nutrition Dietetics and Food Science Department at Brigham Young University in Utah shows this. It was quite a rigorous study: they had 120 students take 10,000, 12,500, or 15,000 steps six days a week for six months. Sorry, but if you also have a job on the side, how on earth are those 15,000 steps per day possible? I found a full-time job and sometimes even those 10,000 steps were really a challenge.

In addition, the students also had to keep track of how many calories they consumed each day. At the end of this study, the students were weighed, and what turned out? Those steps made very little difference. 10,000 steps, but also those 15,000 steps: on average, the students still gained one and a half kilos.

Using that step counter to lose weight is therefore completely pointless, but the researchers do emphasize that taking so many steps per day does have a positive effect, namely on your mental health. Oookay. Then I’ll go for a walk today for my mental health.

Source: AD.nl