Daily Step Count Linked to Improved Cognitive Function, Study Finds
Research suggests that increasing daily steps can lead to better attention, focus, and decision-making.
Walking a consistent number of steps each day may significantly boost brain health and lower the risk of cognitive decline, according to a new study.
The research, which tracked over 3,000 adults using wearable devices to monitor their daily step counts, found a correlation between higher step totals and improved performance on cognitive tests measuring attention, focus, and decision-making.
Researchers observed that for every additional 1,000 steps taken per day, participants showed higher cognitive scores. Specifically, individuals who walked an average of 8,875 steps daily performed better on brain function tests compared to those who averaged just 5,000 steps. Notably, this moderate activity group performed as well as those who exceeded 10,000 steps per day, a target often recommended for general health.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, involved 3,093 participants aged 18 to 93. Over a 14-year period between 2009 and 2023, participants' health data, including blood pressure, was reviewed before they began tracking their steps. After the tracking period, they were categorized into low (5,108 steps), moderate (8,875 steps), and high (14,161 steps) activity groups based on their average daily steps.
Participants then completed computerized tests designed to assess key cognitive skills, including attention (the ability to maintain focus on a task), cognitive control (ignoring distractions to concentrate on relevant information), and self-control (resisting impulses for greater long-term rewards). Social emotion recognition, the capacity to identify emotions in others, was also evaluated.
The findings indicated that individuals in the moderate and high activity groups consistently outperformed the least active group on tests measuring attention, focus, and self-control. The benefits observed in the moderate group suggest that significant cognitive improvements can be achieved without necessarily reaching very high step counts.
While the study found a link between increased walking and enhanced cognitive performance, researchers noted that it does not definitively prove causation. Other lifestyle factors not accounted for, such as diet, sleep quality, and obesity rates, may also play a role in cognitive health.
Researchers hypothesize that walking may improve brain health by increasing blood flow, which helps deliver essential oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, thereby supporting cognitive functions. However, the study did not find significant differences in blood pressure among the different activity groups.