Daily Walking Linked to , Lower Risk of Dementia.
The new study was published on Sept. 6 in the journal 'JAMA' by researchers with a Danish university.
It found that for people over 40, walking just under 10,000 steps daily lowered risk of dementia during a seven-year span by 50 percent.
Those who walked the
same amount of steps at a
brisk pace lowered their
dementia risk by 57 percent.
It is a brisk walking activity, like a power walk, Borja del Pozo Cruz, Study Co-Author, via CNN.
In addition, the study found that walking fewer steps also equated to lowered risk of dementia.
For those who walked
just under 4,000 steps
daily, risk of dementia
declined by 25 percent.
That would be enough, at first, for sedentary individuals, Borja del Pozo Cruz, Study Co-Author, via CNN.
Study authors say that lowering the bar for those who are more sedentary could help to motivate such individuals to move more.
It is a message that doctors could use to motivate very sedentary older adults — 4k steps is very doable by many, even those that are less fit or do not feel very motivated, Borja del Pozo Cruz, Study Co-Author, via CNN.
Perhaps, more active and fitter individuals should aim for 10k, where we see maximum effects, Borja del Pozo Cruz, Study Co-Author, via CNN.
Overall, study authors believe the most important take-away from the research is that the number of steps taken is of secondary importance.
Our take is that intensity of stepping matters! Over and above volume. , Borja del Pozo Cruz, Study Co-Author, via CNN.
Study authors recommend that tracking apps and devices be designed to measure intensity of steps in addition to the number of steps taken.
Technology could be used to track not only number of steps but also pace and so these types of metrics can also be incorporated in commercial watches. More research is needed on this, Borja del Pozo Cruz, Study Co-Author, via CNN