New Study Challenges Traditional Exercise Guidelines

According to new research, setting exercise goals based on steps or time is equally beneficial for health, suggesting that personal preference should guide the choice of exercise metrics.

Since the emergence of smartwatches, step-based exercise goals have become increasingly popular. However, current physical activity guidelines lack specific recommendations for step counts. In a new study, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital have found that step-based and time-based exercise targets are equally effective at reducing the risk of premature death and cardiovascular disease. These findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, suggest that the choice of a time-based exercise goal or a step-based one is largely a matter of personal preference.