Study shows an extra 2,300 steps could cut the time older Australians spend in hospital
For every increase of 1,000 daily steps, the estimated overall number of hospital bed-days a year dropped by nine per cent, according to the research
By Kate Aubusson
An extra 40-minute stroll every day can mean fewer days in hospital for older Australians, new research shows.
For people over fifty-five years old, increasing the number of daily steps from 4,500 to 8,800 is linked to one less day in hospital every three years, researchers at the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Newcastle have found.
The extra 4,300 steps - about three kilometres - is linked to a statistically significant drop in hospital-bed days, suggests the study published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday.
Fewer than half of Australian adults meet physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity a week, according to ABS data.
International experts argue convincing a sedentary population to be more active is one of the biggest issues facing public health.
