Which is More Effective for Weight Loss: A 30-minute Run or 10,000 Steps?

Getting a sufficient amount of physical activity is crucial for overall health and well-being. While the standard recommendation has been to aim for 10,000 steps a day, a recent study conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston has challenged this notion. The study, which looked at data from nearly 15,000 women over the age of 62, found that focusing on the time spent exercising rather than the number of steps taken could be just as beneficial for weight loss, longevity, and reducing the risk of heart disease. The participants who engaged in 8,000 to 8,500 steps per day or exercised for 75 minutes per day saw a significant reduction in their risk of heart disease. This suggests that there may not be a 'magic' number of steps to aim for when it comes to physical activity. Instead, individuals can choose between a step-based or time-based goal to lower their risk of death or cardiovascular disease. The findings of this study support the idea of including both types of guidelines in future recommendations for physical activity, providing individuals with the flexibility to track their preferred metric.