#Activityguidelines

A new wave of research and expert analysis is challenging the widespread notion that taking 10,000 steps a day is the “gold standard” for health. For many Thais tracking their daily movement with fitness apps and smartwatches, this benchmark guides their routines, but emerging evidence recommends a more nuanced, personalised approach to daily activity — with broader implications for well-being and chronic disease prevention in Thailand.

The idea of 10,000 steps a day has permeated public consciousness worldwide, including in Thailand, particularly since the proliferation of affordable pedometers and health-tracking smart devices. But what does the science say? And is this number a magical threshold, or just a helpful starting point? According to experts interviewed in a recent CNET feature, the reality involves history, marketing, and evolving research on movement and mortality (CNET).

A growing body of research is challenging the idea that 10,000 steps a day is the ultimate health benchmark. Many Thais rely on pedometers and smartwatches to guide daily routines, but experts now advocate a more personalized approach to activity that can better support well-being and chronic disease prevention in Thailand.

The 10,000-step goal entered public imagination long before formal science backed it. An exercise physiologist from a major university notes that typical daily activities account for about 3,000 to 6,000 steps. Adding brisk walking can bring total steps toward 10,000, but the origin lies in a 1960s Japanese marketing campaign for a pedometer whose name translates to “10,000-step meter.” Leading sports medicine specialists have pointed out that the number is somewhat arbitrary and lacked scientific validation at the outset. In Thailand’s context, where fitness devices are increasingly common, many still view 10,000 steps as a useful starting point rather than a universal rule.