Should your exercise goals be in minutes or steps? Study suggests they are equally beneficial
In the age of smartwatches, monitoring step counts has never been easier, but current physical activity guidelines do not explicitly recommend specific step counts for health. A new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), which includes research from Kelly Evenson, PhD, professor of epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, suggests that both step and time-based exercise targets are equivalently associated with lower risks of early death and cardiovascular disease. Thus, whether one chooses a time or step goal may not be as important as choosing a goal aligned with personal preferences. Results are published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Physical activity reduces the risk of acquiring chronic illness and infection and promotes longevity.