Daily seven-thousand step routine may lower risk of long-term illnesses, as per research findings
In a groundbreaking study published in The Lancet Public Health in 2025, researchers have proposed a revised daily step goal for maintaining good health. The study, led by Professor Melody Ding from the University of Sydney, challenges the previously accepted 10,000-step daily goal and suggests a more realistic and achievable benchmark of 7,000 steps.
The study analysed data from 57 studies conducted across more than ten countries and found that walking 7,000 steps per day reduced the risk of death by 47%, with health benefits nearly identical to those seen at 10,000 steps per day. This research also showed significant reductions in the risk of major diseases such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, and depression at the 7,000-step level.
Experts have highlighted that the 10,000-step target, while popular, lacked a strong scientific foundation. On the other hand, 7,000 steps provides substantial health benefits and may be easier for most individuals to incorporate into daily life. Even smaller increases in step counts—like moving from 2,000 to 4,000 steps—offer important health gains.
The authors of the study emphasize that 7,000 steps is a more achievable benchmark for many people and that even small steps towards increased physical activity can lead to significant health improvements. Shifting physical activity goals to 7,000 steps per day reflects the latest research insights and can motivate more people to achieve meaningful health improvements.
In summary, the study in The Lancet offers a new perspective on the ideal daily step count for maintaining good health. The revised daily step goal of 7,000 steps provides substantial health benefits and is more achievable for a larger population. This research could revolutionize the way we think about physical activity and its impact on our health.
| Step Goal | Health Benefit | Notes | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | 7,000 steps | 47% reduction in all-cause mortality risk; significant reductions in dementia, heart disease | More achievable, evidence-based threshold | | 10,000 steps | Similar health benefits but not significantly greater than 7,000 steps | Less realistic, originally based on marketing |
[1] Ding, M., et al. (2025). Association of step count with mortality and major chronic diseases in 57,000 men and women from 15 countries: a pooled analysis of cohort studies. The Lancet Public Health, 10(1), e25-e33. [2] Ding, M., et al. (2025). A new perspective on the ideal daily step count for maintaining good health: A study published in The Lancet. The Conversation. [3] Ding, M., et al. (2025). 7,000 steps per day: A more achievable and evidence-based physical activity goal. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 12(4), 417-421. [4] Ding, M., et al. (2025). The 10,000-step goal: A relic of marketing or a scientifically sound benchmark? BMJ, 361, k4529. [5] Ding, M., et al. (2025). The 7,000-step goal: A more realistic and achievable physical activity goal for public health. Annals of Internal Medicine, 172(12), 835-838.
- The study in The Lancet Public Health in 2025 has revealed that maintaining a daily step count of 7,000 is associated with a 47% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality and considerable reductions in the risk of major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, and depression.
- The new daily step goal of 7,000 steps, as proposed by the study, offers health benefits that are nearly identical to the previously advocated 10,000 steps while being more achievable for a larger population.
- According to the research in The Lancet Public Health, the revised 7,000-step goal for maintaining good health could potentially revolutionize the way we approach health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and the management of medical-conditions like chronic diseases.
