A recent study conducted by Saitama Medical University in Moroyama, Saitama Prefecture, has revealed that walking 8,000 steps per day holds significant health benefits, including the reduction of neutral fat, small dense LDL-cholesterol, and the risk of arteriosclerosis, which can lead to stroke and heart disease.
The findings of the study, conducted in collaboration with Moroyama’s municipal government, were unveiled following a comprehensive health survey involving residents of the town. Motivated by a commitment to fostering health and happiness among its populace, Moroyama initiated efforts to promote walking as a cornerstone of its health initiatives.
Under the auspices of the project, 60 residents aged 18 or older were tasked with walking 8,000 steps daily and engaging in muscle strength training three times a week over a period of six months, commencing in June 2023. Preceding and concluding the study, participants underwent blood tests, physical fitness evaluations, and questionnaire assessments to ascertain the impact of walking on mitigating lifestyle-related diseases.
Encouragingly, the study yielded notable improvements across various health parameters. Notably, participants demonstrated enhanced endurance, as evidenced by a 32-meter increase in the average distance covered during the six-minute walking test. Moreover, indicators of instantaneous force improved, with participants achieving a noteworthy reduction in athletic ability measurement times.
Blood tests revealed promising outcomes, with 60% of participants experiencing improvements in “HbA1c” levels, a crucial marker for diabetes risk, alongside reductions in neutral fat and small dense LDL-cholesterol levels. Furthermore, assessments using the LOX-index, a metric for gauging the risk of cerebral and cardiac infarctions, indicated favorable trends, with a decrease in participants classified as at “medium risk.”
Reflecting on the study’s implications, Professor Hidetoshi Takahashi of Saitama Medical University’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine emphasized the significance of walking as a preventive measure against arteriosclerosis, underscoring the collaborative effort between academia and local governance in generating groundbreaking insights into public health.
Moroyama Mayor Kenji Inoue expressed intentions to disseminate the study’s findings among residents and integrate them into future health initiatives spearheaded by the town government, underscoring a commitment to leveraging evidence-based strategies to enhance community well-being.
