A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that women of all ages can reduce the risk of premature death by walking just 4,000 steps a day.

A study conducted by researchers at Harvard University, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, challenges the standard of 10,000 steps per day, showing that older women can significantly reduce the risk of premature death by walking just 4,000 steps daily. The research included 13,547 women, with an average age of 72, without heart disease or cancer. The results suggest that the total number of steps is more important than the frequency of activity. Women who walked 4,000 steps a day, even just once or twice a week, had a 26% lower risk of death and a 27% lower risk of heart disease. Achieving the same goal of 4,000 steps three days a week led to a 40% reduction in the risk of premature death. The study recommends revising physical activity guidelines for older women, suggesting that 4,000 steps a day are sufficient to reduce mortality and cardiovascular risk, thus contradicting the myth of 10,000 steps.