close up image of a watch that indicates one thousand two hundred steps
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Where did the idea that people should aim to walk at least 10,000 steps daily for optimal health come from?
The idea that people should aim for 10,000 steps daily for optimal health has been around for a while. That's about a 5-mile (8-kilometer) walk for most teens and adults. Since lots of fitness advisors and apps tout 10,000 steps as a goal, that number must be based on lots of research, right? Nope! So where did that magic number come from?
It all started with a marketing campaign that launched just before the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Back then, a Japanese company started selling a device called Manpo-kei, which translates as "10,000 steps meter." The name wasn't based on any research data about the health benefits of taking 10,000 steps daily. Instead, experts say, the name was just a marketing gimmick—the number was likely chosen because the Japanese character for "10,000" resembles a man walking. Despite the lack of scientific research, the arbitrary number caught on around the globe, and other fitness trackers started using it. Decades later, getting 10,000 steps in daily is ingrained in many people's minds as a key to better health. But should it be?
Maybe—or maybe not.
Getting enough exercise is, of course, important, but some experts warn that the 10,000-step goal can be disadvantageous. The number can seem too high to achieve every day, and consistently failing to reach it can make people unhappy—and possibly give up on improving their fitness habits entirely. A study of teenagers showed that they enjoyed having a 10,000-step target but became discouraged when they were unable to reach it regularly.
Another study showed that people disliked when they had to track steps, because it felt like work rather than a fun activity. So, what should people do to stay healthy? Experts say track your steps if doing so provides positive motivation, but keep in mind there's not actually a specific number of steps that you need to take every day—just find time to get moving as often as you can.
QUESTION 2
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Based on the article, which of these is true about step goals?
Getting 10,000 steps daily may be good exercise, but tracking them can be discouraging.
Research has clearly shown that not getting 10,000 steps daily puts optimal health at risk.
Research has clearly shown that getting 10,000 steps daily is a good idea for everyone.
Getting 10,000 steps daily has been proven by researchers to make people unhappy.
1 answer
Based on the article, the statement that is true about step goals is:
Getting 10,000 steps daily may be good exercise, but tracking them can be discouraging.
The article mentions that while reaching the 10,000-step goal can be beneficial for health, it can also lead to discouragement if people find it too hard to achieve regularly. The other statements are not supported by the article.
