In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts found that measuring exercise by the length of time spent exercising and the number of steps taken can be equally beneficial. They analyzed data from over 14,000 healthy women aged 62 and older for about nine years and discovered that higher levels of physical activity, whether measured in minutes or steps, were linked to significant reductions in mortality and cardiovascular risk.
The U.S. government currently recommends 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week for adults but does not consider step counts. However, researchers suggest that physical activity guidelines should be updated to provide multiple ways to achieve activity goals based on personal preference, especially since fitness trackers and smartwatches often track step counts.
Dr. Mallika Marshall, an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has been the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years, is a practicing physician board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She is on staff at Harvard Medical School and works at Massachusetts General Hospital caring for patients with COVID-19. Dr. Marshall is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications.
