Daily step patterns linked to mortality

Editor's Note

In this study, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Kyoto University, Japan, found that the number of days per week US adults took 8,000 steps or more was linked to a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality at 10 years.

Of 3,101 study participants, 632 (20.4%) did not take 8,000 steps or more any day of the week; 532 (17.2%) took 8,000 steps or more 1 to 2 days per week; and 1,937 (62.5%) took 8,000 steps or more 3 to 7 days per week.

Over the 10-year follow-up, there were 439 (14.2%) deaths from all causes and 148 (5.3%) deaths from cardiovascular disease.

After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with those who did not take 8,000 steps or more any day of the week:

• 10-year all-cause mortality risk was 14.9% lower among those who took 8,000 steps or more 1 to 2 days per week and 16.5% lower for those who took 8,000 steps or more 3 to 7 days per week.
• 10-year cardiovascular mortality risk was 8.1% lower among those who took 8,000 steps or more 1 to 2 days per week and 8.4% lower among those who took 8,000 or more steps 3 to 7 days per week.

The protective association leveled off when individuals took sufficient daily steps for 3 days or more per week.

The findings suggest that for those who have difficulties exercising regularly because of work and/or family obligations, taking recommended steps only a couple days per week can have meaningful health benefits, the researchers say.