The widely accepted recommendation to walk 10,000 steps daily may be based on flawed research originating from a 1960s Japanese marketing campaign, according to Dr. Christian Daulouède, a retired sports physician based in Bordeaux, France. Dr. Daulouède contends the figure, now often promoted by smartphones and wearable technology, lacks a solid scientific basis and is disproportionately applied to individuals of non-Asian descent.
“10,000 steps a day? Might as well be picking daisies,” Dr. Daulouède told Sud Ouest, a French regional newspaper. He explained that the 10,000-step guideline emerged from a study commissioned by Japanese pedometer manufacturers in the 1960s. The research, he asserts, was tailored to a specific Asian physique and doesn’t translate effectively to Caucasian populations. The figure equates to roughly 7 kilometers or 1.3 hours of walking.
The proliferation of step-counting apps and devices has, according to Dr. Daulouède, created what he terms a “gold effect” in healthcare – a phenomenon where marketing drives perceived health benefits. He emphasizes that the way one walks is more key than simply reaching an arbitrary number of steps.
Recent research suggests that the health benefits, such as improvements in waist circumference, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar, are not consistently observed until approximately 15,000 steps are taken daily. Dr. Daulouède distinguishes between leisurely strolls and more vigorous activity, noting that a brisk walk up a challenging terrain like the Rhune mountain in the Basque Country carries significantly more physiological benefit than a casual walk with a pet.
While acknowledging the positive impact of walking on mental well-being – citing historical examples of philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche, Plato, and Aristotle who found inspiration through walking – Dr. Daulouède stresses that physical health gains require more substantial exertion. He advocates for a “hunter’s pace” over a “promenade pace.”
For those unable to consistently achieve 15,000 steps, Dr. Daulouède recommends breaking up physical activity into shorter, more intense bursts. “The idea is to get out of breath,” he stated. “Walking quickly for a sustained period burns calories, and those calories continue to burn even while you sleep.”
The Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS), or World Health Organization, was mentioned as the originator of the 10,000 step recommendation, but Dr. Daulouède attributes the origin to the Japanese study. The OMS website currently lists priorities including hearing loss, obesity, mental health, and HPV cancer, but does not prominently feature the 10,000 step guideline.
