Daily step goal of 10,000 steps: a literature review.

Background: This review looks at ways to increase physical activity, by walking and other sports and home activities, to reach the daily 10,000 steps goal. It also looks at a number of issues associated with achieving the daily step goal, such as considerations in walking, step counting and physical activity.

Methods: The review is based on MEDLINE (1982-2006) and Google searches using keywords "pedometer", "daily step goal", "physical activity", "exercise".

Achieving the daily step goal of 10,000 steps: the experience of a Canadian family attached to pedometers.

Background: Health experts recommend daily step goals of 10,000 steps for adults and 12,000 steps for youths to achieve a healthy active living. This article reports the findings of a Canadian family project to investigate whether the recommended daily step goals are achievable in a real life setting, and suggests ways to increase the daily steps to meet the goal. The family project also provides an example to encourage more Canadians to conduct family projects on healthy living.