With more people using smartwatches to measure their steps and overall health, researchers found that both the number of steps and time-based exercise targets are linked with better health. Get the latest top news stories sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter We have more newsletters Get the latest top news stories sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter We have more newsletters Counting your steps throughout the day is a great way to benefit your health, according to a new study . Researchers found that both the number of steps and time-based exercise targets are equivalently linked with better health, extended lifespan, and reduced risk of a heart attack or stroke .
Monitoring step counts has never been easier in the age of smartphones and watches but current guidelines for physical health don't explicitly recommend counting your steps. A new American study that involved thousands of older women has suggested that both step and time-based exercise targets are associated with lower risks of dying prematurely and cardiovascular disease. Choosing a time or step goal may not be as important as choosing a goal aligned with personal preferences, according to the findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine .
Current UK guidelines, published on the NHS website, recommend that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. With wearable devices now common and step counts a popul.