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BOSTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — If you're tired of your Fitbit telling you to take 10,000 steps each day, good news, a local doctor said that number is not based in science.
"For those of us that are older 10,000 steps a day is not that easy of a goal to achieve," said Harvard Medical School Professor Dr. I-Min Lee.
As a professor, Dr. Lee wondered why that number was so high and after conducting some research, she found out it dates back to 1960's Japan.
"They call the pedometer Manpo-Kei which in Japanese means a 10,000-step meter, so it was a marketing tool to try and sell the pedometer with a catchy name," said Dr. Lee.
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Furthermore, she said the 10,000-step figure is not a scientific fact. Dr. Lee ran an experiment, and did notice that more steps meant better health, but up to a certain point.
"It tapered off actually at about 7,500 steps, beyond that you did not get any additional benefit," said Dr. Lee.
Keep in mind, this study was specifically for older women. Dr. Lee is currently testing other demographics.
No matter how smart the smart watch is, Dr. Lee added you know your body best and to listen to what you're comfortable doing.
WBZ NewsRadio's Matt Shearer (@MattWBZ) Reports:
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