Don’t Confuse Step Count with Exercise, Expert Says

Insight from Alexander Rothstein, Ed.D., assistant professor of exercise science, was featured in thousands of media outlets across the United States, including large dailies in Boston, San Diego, and Pittsburgh, as well as International Business Times and other large news sites. Rothstein explained that, on its own, a daily step count goal has a minimal impact on physical fitness. While hitting 10,000 steps a day helps to prevent long sedentary periods, which are associated with health risks like blood clots and heart disease, society tends to overestimate the fitness benefits, said Rothstein.

“During routine walking, we’re usually not reaching an intensity that sufficiently elevates heart rate or oxygen demand to drive meaningful physiological adaptations,” he shared. “Heart rate is a better measurement tool. The time spent in certain heart rate zones can be counted towards the recommended exercise guidelines. In general, the higher your heart rate, the higher the exercise intensity.”