Walking is a simple yet effective form of exercise that offers numerous health benefits. However, the question often arises: How many steps should you aim for each day to reap the maximum rewards? This blog post by us at Your Next Step will reveal the truth about the ever-popular health trend of getting your daily dose of 10,000 steps.

10,000 Steps per Day

The popular goal of 10,000 steps per day is often cited as a benchmark for good health. Research suggests that this target can provide significant benefits such as cardiovascular improvement, weight management, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and optimized sleep and energy levels.

Since the foot is intricately connected to the body’s internal systems, the subsequent podiatric benefits are vast. Strengthened bone density and muscle tone, reduced risk of foot injuries, reduced pain from chronic conditions, and improved balance and stability are all possible with 10,000 steps.

Consequences of Walking Less Than 10,000 Steps per Day

While reaching 10,000 steps is a popular goal, there’s no saying the number of steps that are officially detrimental to our health. What we do know, however, is that living a sedentary lifestyle may have the following negative consequences:

• Increased risk of chronic diseases: Sedentary lifestyles have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
• Decreased muscle strength: Reduced physical activity can lead to muscle weakness and deconditioning.
• Impaired balance and coordination: Lack of exercise can contribute to decreased coordination and increase the risk of falls (particularly salient for seniors).

Beyond 10,000 Steps

What if you go over 10,000 steps? More is not always better.

Walking too much can lead to overuse injuries in the feet, such as plantar fasciitis,, Achilles tendonitis, metatarsalgia, shin splints, and others. However, if you are an active person accustomed to this step count (by virtue of playing a sport, running, or having an active job), this shouldn’t be an issue.

On the other hand, seniors, or those who aren’t used to this step count, should gradually work up to this level of activity.

Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, Dr. Aliza V. Eisen, and Dr. Cassandra Stache are ready to help with all your foot and ankle needs. Schedule your appointment and contact us today!