You’ve probably heard that you need to move more throughout the day, and as a general rule of thumb, “more” is often defined as around 10,000 steps. Many people use the 10,000-step rule as their marker for healthy living. As more people track their steps by fitness-tracking wearable or their iPhones, more of them do that.
But while sitting less is a great idea, the step rule isn’t as black and white as one number.
Dr. Creg Hager, professor at Johns Hopkins, decided to take a closer look at whether the step rule is accurate, and he found asking everyone to shoot for 10,000 steps each day could be harmful to the elderly, or the level of exercise could make it unwise for those with medical conditions. He also noted that those with shorter legs have an easier time hitting the 10,000-step goal because they have to take more steps than loge-egged people to cover the distance.
How many steps can help keep healthy and promote longevity (长寿) on earth?
Researchers found that women taking 4,400 steps per day were about 40% less likely to die during a follow-up period of just over four years, compared to those who took 2,700 steps. Women in the study who walked more than 7,500 steps each day got no extra in longevity. The bottom line is that 10,000 steps may be too many for some and too few for others. Some of that has to do with age but nothing to do with health and longevity. The study included nearly 17,000 women with an average age of 72.
The point of these studies isn’t to say we should abandon step goals and fitness trackers altogether. The key is finding the step goal that matches your individual health according to your doctor or fitness instructor, and then using your fitness tracker and other proper methods to help achieve those goals.
12. What do people usually take as their standard of healthy living?
A.The 10,000-step rule. | B.The fitness tracking wearables. |
C.The level of exercise. | D.The point of these studies. |
13. Which best describes Dr. Greg Hager’s attitude towards the step rule?
A.Optimistic. | B.Negative. | C.Skeptical. | D.Favorable. |
14. What did the researchers find?
A.Following 10,000 steps each day could be harmful to the elderly. |
B.Taking steps may not be directly related to people’s longevity. |
C.Walking during the day is closely linked to the death of the elderly. |
D.Older women with an average age of 72 in the study lived longer. |
15. What might the passage say next?
A.The approaches to these goals. | B.The step goals with abandon. |
C.The health for individuals. | D.The secret of longevity. |