#3: March Edition - take a good step into Spring

Happy March everyone! 🌧️ Despite the gloomy weather in Vancouver playing tricks, I hope you're all hanging in there and those of you in warmer climates, I am envious of you. Rain or shine, one thing that keeps me going is staying mindful of my steps.

This month, let's dive into a health challenge that's all about stepping up our game – quite literally! I'm talking about step counts and the fantastic health perks that come with them. We're drawing inspiration from a study by Inoue et al. from 2023, and trust me, it's a game-changer. So, grab your umbrella, lace up those shoes, and let's take strides towards better health!

🌟 Study break down:

🔍 The Scoop on the Study: A team of researchers dived deep into the connection between daily step counts and overall health. Their goal? To find out how strolling can impact our risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Spoiler alert: the results are impressive! 📈 

✨ The Magic Numbers: 👣 Minimal Dose: Even taking as few as 2,517 steps a day has minor benefits. It's linked to an 8% drop in all-cause mortality and an 11% cut in CVD risk compared to those hitting just 2,000 steps. Tiny steps, and a step in the right direction.

🏆 Optimal Dose: The sweet spot for maximum benefits? Stride towards 8,763 steps a day for a whopping 60% risk reduction in all-cause mortality and 7,126 steps for a 51% dip in incident CVD. Beyond these counts? No extra health points, folks!

🕺 Stepping Cadence: Here's the beat to follow – higher step cadences (steps per minute) mean reduced risks, proving that both the number of steps and how fast you take them matter. Walk to your own rhythm for better health!

⌚ Gadget Talk: Hip-worn accelerometers are the rockstars of step counting accuracy, outshining pedometers and wrist-worn devices. But hey, don't worry too much about the tech – it doesn't change the game when it comes to recommended step counts.

❤️ What it Means for You: So, what's the takeaway? Setting step-based goals is like giving your health a high-five! Doctors can cheer you on to add at least 1,000 steps to your daily count – that's just 10 minutes of walking. Walking is for everyone, adaptable to all fitness levels, making it a superhero move for public health. Lace up those sneakers, take a stroll, and let the steps lead you to a healthier you!

Until next time, hope you have a physically active month 💪.

Kosta Ikonomou