【Newsletter topic】Aim for 8,000 steps per day
Let's use the unit of "METs" to describe the intensity of physical activity.
The intensity of activity while sitting quietly is 1 MET, and the intensity of "walking" is 3 METs.
The "METs-hour" is a unit of activity calculated by multiplying the METs by the duration of the physical activity. If you take a one-hour walk daily, you would have 3 METs/day x 7 days, 21 METs/hour per week.
The amount of physical activity effective in preventing the onset of lifestyle-related diseases is distributed between 19 METs/hour and 26 METs/hour per week, so the average value of 23 METs/hour per week is the recommended amount of physical activity.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare recommends that adults engage in physical activity of at least 3 METs per day or "walking" for at least one hour per day (about 8,000 steps or more).
Please use this as a reference for the number of steps you set as a goal.
Horizontal axis: physical activity (met-hours/week)
Vertical axis: Risk of disease onset and death
From "Physical Activity and Exercise Guide for Health Promotion 2023," Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Exercise relaxes the mind and body, helps regulate sleep rhythms, and dissipates negative moods. Please take a breath of fresh air and walk healthily!
Akemi Fukumura, a walking trainer and representative of WALK & WAY, advised us on how to walk healthily.
Please watch the video below to see her advice in Japanese. (Please excuse the flickering of the screen)
https://youtube.com/live/tjFjhsRL7qE?feature=share
©︎Juozas Cernius/CARE
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