The problem has been that no one has really determined what the definition of "moderate" is.
This article talks about a new study that says "moderate" should mean roughly 1,000 steps in a 10 minute continuous period, or 100 steps a minute.
I've never counted my steps before when I walk or carry one of those pedometer things that count the steps for you so the other day when I was walking my dog I decided to count how many steps I was taking at the normal pace that I walk. In 60 seconds I walked 127 steps.
From the article:
"It's a bit like a brisk walk," Marshall said. "If you can imagine you're late for a bus, you're in a hurry. It's not a leisurely stroll, it's a brisk walk."
I don't know about that. A brisk walk for who? Maybe I'm just a fast walker but, the pace of 127 steps a minute to me was more of a leisurely walk. If I took it up a notch to where I was trying to catch a bus, but cut myself short of running, I'm thinking I'd be somewhere between 150-175 steps a minute, minimum.
The actual study details aren't out yet so I can't verify what the training status of the subject were, what the methods were, how long the study lasted, etc.
But I still don't think we're any closer to determining what "moderate" is because it's going to vary so much from person to person based on their current health status.
At the same time, considering that we are talking about the "average" American, I guess it's very plausible that 100 steps in 60 seconds would be brisk enough to get the heart noticeably beating faster as well as a noticeable increase in a person's breathing rate for quite a large section of the population.
BUT, remember, after doing this for some time, your body will adjust and adapt, and in order to continue to get the same effects, you're going to have to increase the pace that you're going.
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