An AI has weighed in as to how many steps women should be taking each day.
We’re all probably aware of the advice to take at least 10,000 steps every day, but did you know that figure was essentially plucked out of thin air?
Advert
Yep, the 10,000 step target that many Fitbit users still swear by was invented by Japanese company Yamasa as part of a marketing campaign for a wearable step-counter called the manpo-kei, which literally translates as ‘10,000-step meter’.
“There wasn’t really any evidence for it at the time,” expert Prof David Bassett told the Guardian. “They just felt that was a number that was indicative of an active lifestyle and should be healthy.”
So how many steps should we actually be doing?
Well, the natural person to ask would be ChatGPT.
Advert
The other week we asked ChatGPT to rank the top ten most handsome A-list actors, and now we’ve asked for it’s insight on our daily step targets.
The advice it came up with was actually very detailed, and took into account your lifestyle, and fitness goals.
Obviously ChatGPT never went to medical school, so it’s best to take this with a pinch of salt.
Advert
The AI told us: “The number of steps a person needs to take per day for health can vary depending on several factors, including age, overall health, and individual goals.
"While there are general guidelines, it's important to note that individual needs may differ, so consulting with a healthcare professional or fitness expert is advised for personalized recommendations."
So without further ado, here are the number of steps ChatGPT thinks you should take depending on your lifestyle and health goals:
- "Sedentary Lifestyle: For women who have a sedentary lifestyle or engage in minimal physical activity, a goal of 5,000 to 7,500 steps per day can be a good starting point.
- Active Lifestyle: For women who aim to maintain a generally active lifestyle, a goal of 7,500 to 10,000 steps per day is often recommended. This level of activity can contribute to overall health and well-being.
- Weight Management: For women who want to manage or lose weight, aiming for 10,000 to 12,500 steps per day can be beneficial. Combining regular physical activity with a balanced diet is crucial for achieving weight-related goals.
- Fitness and Health Improvement: Women who are looking to improve their fitness level or enhance their cardiovascular health can strive for 12,500 to 15,000 steps per day. This higher level of activity can provide additional health benefits.
- Athletes or Active Individuals: For women who participate in sports, athletic training, or highly active pursuits, step goals may go beyond 15,000 steps per day, depending on their specific training programs and performance goals."
As for how many steps medical professionals think you should take… well, there’s not much of a consensus.
Advert
The NHS advises that ‘a brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your 150 minutes of weekly exercise, as recommended in the physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64’.
If you’re looking for a specific step figure, however, a 2022 study in The Lancet pooled 15 studies that tracked 45,000 adults daily step totals over a period of three to 14 years.
They worked out that adults under 60 should aim for 8,000 to 10,000 daily steps, while over 60s should aim for a more conservative 6,000 to 8,000.
No worries if you’re walking more than that, health benefits apparently plateau after meeting the targets but there’s no actual downsides to exceeding it.
Topics: Technology, Health
Simon Fearn