1. A recent study from Japan has found that walking between 5,000 and 7,000 steps a day can help older people to live longer. However, the number of steps that people should walk depends on their current health condition.
2. The researchers studied data from more than 4,000 adults aged 65 or older in the city of Kameoka, Kyoto prefecture. Of these participants, almost 25% were classified as frail. In 2013, the researchers sent the participants devices to count their daily steps.
3. By November 2016, 113 participants had died. The researchers then studied what relationship there was between how much people walked and their risk of death.
(1)How many steps do you imagine you walk per day on average?
(2)What are the best places to go for a walk where you live?
4. They found that for healthy people, somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000 steps a day was enough to reduce the risk of death, and there was no advantage to walking more than that.
5. However, for frail people, walking around 5,000 steps or more reduced their risk of death dramatically and it was found that the more they walked, the better.
6. Previous studies suggest there are several reasons why walking reduces the risk of death. Walking is believed to reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and broken bones, and it keeps the muscles connected to your bones in good condition.
(1)Do you prefer to go for walks alone or with other people? Why?
(2)Do you use any health or fitness trackers? If so, which ones?
7. It is often said that people should walk 10,000 steps a day for good health, but there is no evidence for this, and the study’s authors say 10,000 steps may be difficult for older people.
8. Instead, the researchers say, between 5,000 to 7,000 steps a day should be enough for most older people to stay healthy.
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