
While the idea of getting 10,000 steps a day is bandied about as a good walking goal, that can be intimidating to some people, depending on how fit they are. Now, new research in adults between the ages of 70 and 90 finds that a much smaller number of steps can make a difference in heart health. It’s possible, according to researchers, that just 3,000 steps a day has benefits for heart health, and adding increments of just 500 more steps can also make a big difference. “Walking, I think, is just such a great activity that we can encourage people to do,” said study author Erin Dooley, an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama’s School of Public Health. “Getting up throughout the day and walking a little bit, even if it’s just around your house, any type of walking is helpful and beneficial.” Her team used data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (ARIC) for this new study, with a sample of 452 adults who wore activity trackers on their waist for a few days and were then followed for about 3 1/2 years. The study grouped participants based on the number of steps they averaged. Those who were least active were getting about 2,000 steps. Those who were most active got about 4,500 steps. “That really… read on > read on >