Optimal Daily Steps Vary by Age, Study Finds

Recent studies suggest that the traditional 10,000 steps goal may be unnecessary for health benefits, with minimum effective steps varying by age—around 2,300 for cardiovascular health and up to 8,000 for older adults—while increasing steps can further reduce mortality risk. Walking and incidental activities outside of formal workouts contribute significantly to overall health, and breaking up walking into manageable chunks is effective.