Walking 10.000 steps a day sounds scientific, but its origins lie not in research, but in marketing. In the 1960s, a Japanese company advertised its pedometer under the name „Manpo-kei“, which means "10.000-step counter". The number became so popular that it was later adopted as a supposedly medical guideline.
Studies show that health benefits start with significantly fewer steps - often from around 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day. Regular exercise and an overall active lifestyle are crucial. This shows how easily simple statements can develop into generally accepted health facts.
Sources:
Saint-Maurice, Pedro & et al; Association of Daily Step Count and Step Intensity With Mortality Among Us Adults; in: JAMA 323:12 (2020); doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.1382
Hoffmann, Solvejg; Scientifically refuted: Why the 10,000-step rule is not true; in: GEO (2023); https://www.geo.de/wissen/gesundheit/wissenschaftlich-widerlegt–die-10-000-schritte-regel-33364496.html:
Paluch, Amanda E. & et al; Daily steps and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of 15 international cohorts; in: Lancet Public Health 7:3 (2022); doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00302-9
