Daily Step Patterns and Mortality in US Adults.

Previous studies have shown that individuals who regularly walk, specifically at least 8000 steps, experience lower mortality. However, little is known about the health benefits of walking intensively only a few days a week. This study set out to compare short courses of activity vs multiple days of the week. Participants were grouped by the number of days per week they took 8000 steps or more (0 days, 1-2 days, and 3-7 days). They found a curvilinear dose-response association between the number of days taking 8000 steps or more throughout the week and decreased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risks. The protective association plateaued when individuals took sufficient daily steps for 3 days or more. The findings suggest that people may receive substantial health benefits even if a sufficient number of steps are taken on only a couple days of the week.

JAMA.Network. Open.2023;6(3):e235174.doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5174.

So, it appears that even some activity is better than no activity as a means of decreasing all cause mortality.

Jason & Rita