Many experts agree that the recommended steps per day for seniors is 7,000-10,000. People who live with a disability or chronic illness can still benefit from an active lifestyle, and depending on individual abilities may strive for 5,500 steps per day.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), healthy seniors should walk 7,000 – 10,000 steps per day. That's an average of three to three and a half miles throughout the course of a day.
A study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity notes that step counts typically range between 2,000-9,000 steps per day for the average healthy older adult.
This means that adults ages 59 and younger can benefit the most from 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day, and adults ages 60 and older have the most benefits from taking 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day. These findings are based on longevity so for other health benefits, walking more can still be beneficial.
8,000-10,000 steps per day for adults aged 18-59 years. 6,000-8,000 steps per day for adults aged 60+ years.
Continue increasing your daily steps until you're in the range of 6,000 to 8,000 steps if you're 60 or older, or 8,000 to 10,000 if you're younger. If you're already at the top of your range, keep it up. If you feel like you can do more, go for it. But don't worry if you can't hit a certain target.
Cardiovascular concerns are top of mind for many people as they get older. Walking daily at a brisk pace elevates the heart rate, which then reduces the risks of heart problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart attack. It can also lower the risks of stroke and diabetes.
As people age, it's common for both their cognitive (brain) function and their walking to slow down.
Older adults who walk three to four miles a day — 6,000 to 9,000 steps — were found to be 40 to 50 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those who walk a mile (2,000 steps) a day, according to research published in the journal Circulation.
More specifically, for adults 60 and older, the risk of premature death leveled off at about 6,000-8,000 steps per day, meaning that more steps than that provided no additional benefit for longevity. Adults younger than 60 saw the risk of premature death stabilize at about 8,000-10,000 steps per day.
While getting in 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day when we're younger may be a good benchmark, 6,000 to 8,000 steps might be sufficient and more realistic later in life. We can debate the optimal number of steps a person should take, but we do know that small increases in your walking habits can lead to big results.
As a result, the CDC recommend that most adults aim for 10,000 steps per day . For most people, this is the equivalent of about 8 kilometers, or 5 miles. Most people in the United States only take 3,000–4,000 steps per day , which equates to about 1.5–2 miles.
Speak to a GP first if you have not exercised for some time, or if you have medical conditions or concerns. Make sure your activity and its intensity are appropriate for your fitness. Adults aged 65 and over should: aim to be physically active every day, even if it's just light activity.
Walking has so many benefits for older people. It can improve your health and wellbeing in many ways, and it can help you to live independently for longer. Walking can: Strengthen your muscles.
Recommended daily steps for adults over 65
As with every other age group, reaching your daily step count is important, so it's worth aiming for somewhere between 3,000 and 10,000 steps depending on your current activity levels and general health.
As we grow older, our skeletal muscles tend to wither and weaken, a phenomenon known as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia, which begins to appear at around age 40 and accelerates after 75, is a major cause of disability in the elderly.
With age, bones tend to shrink in size and density, weakening them and making them more susceptible to fracture. You might even become a bit shorter. Muscles generally lose strength, endurance and flexibility — factors that can affect your coordination, stability and balance.
“Our study suggests that walking at least one hour every week is beneficial for people aged 85 years and older. Put simply, walk for 10 minutes every day.”
Exercise with the goals of increasing strength and coordination. Try to do something every day to maintain your muscle strength and conditioning. Senior exercise classes, swimming, and mall walking are great choices. If illness or injury slows you down, make rehabilitation a top priority.
Many experts agree that the recommended steps per day for seniors is 7,000-10,000. People who live with a disability or chronic illness can still benefit from an active lifestyle, and depending on individual abilities may strive for 5,500 steps per day.
In Australia, the average adult accumulates about 7400 steps a day. So an additional 3000 to 4000 steps through dedicated walking will get you to the 10,000 steps target.