Senior author Emmanuel Stamatakis said: “Step count is easily understood and widely used by the public to track activity levels thanks to the growing popularity of fitness trackers and apps, but rarely do people think about the pace of their steps.
“Findings from these studies could inform the first formal step-based physical activity guidelines and help develop effective public health programs aimed at preventing chronic disease.”
While this study shows a promising link between a lower risk of heart disease and fast-paced walking, more research is currently needed.
Co-lead author Doctor Matthew Ahmadi added: “Going forward more research with longer-term use of trackers will shed more light on the health benefits associated with certain levels and intensity of daily stepping.”
