Scientists make surprising discovery about claim you need to walk 10,000 steps a day

For years now, 10,000 steps has been touted as the magic number to hit daily for health and fitness.

The step goal actually originated thanks to a 1960s marketing campaign in Japan.

A type of pedometer was launched by a company called Yamasa, dubbed the manpo-kei, a name which translates to the '10,000-step meter.'

So, in essence, it was picked because it sounded good for an ad campaign, but soon became the benchmark we were all expected to hit for peak physical fitness.

To achieve 10,000 steps a day, you need to walk around five miles or eight kilometres.

If you're an avid walker who loves a good hike, or you have a job which keeps you on your feet, chances are you have no problem smashing this total.

For a long time, 10,000 steps a day has been shared as the magic number (Getty Stock Images)

However, if your Apple Watch or Fitbit regularly shames you for not moving enough, you might be cursing the creators of the pedometer.

Many of us have had that moment of doing laps of your kitchen or going up the stairs at 11pm when you find yourself on 9,500 steps, and if this is you, chances are you'll be very happy with the latest update from scientists.

It turns out that 7,000 steps a day might just be the golden number instead, according to a new major study.

New research published in the Lancet Public Health journal shows that taking 7,000 steps a day is enough to reduce the risk of some of the most serious health conditions.

These include things like cancer, dementia and heart disease.

Dr Melody Ding was the lead author of the research, and she says the 10,000 figure is a fallacy.

"We have this perception we should be doing 10,000 steps a day, but it's not evidence-based", she insisted.

The study compared the data from 160,000 adults around the world, and looked at those who walked 2,000 steps a day versus those who clocked up 7,000 steps.

It was found that 7,000 steps reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 25 per cent, cancer risks were cut by 6 per cent, dementia odds were slashed by 38 per cent, and depression by 22 per cent.

It turns out that 7,000 steps could be just as beneficial (Getty Stock Images)

Even increasing steps from 2,000 to 4,000 per day displayed benefits.

Many experts place a focus on time spent doing an activity versus the number of steps achieved.

The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of 'moderate aerobic activity' a week, or 75 minutes of 'vigorous' aerobic activity'.

The NHS also agrees with this figure, advising ‘a brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your 150 minutes of weekly exercise, as recommended in the physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64’.

Dr Ding explained that this could include swimming or cycling, even if you can't do the required number of steps.

Dr Andrew Scott is a senior lecturer in clinical exercise physiology at the University of Portsmouth.

He told the BBC that people shouldn't get hung up on hitting an exact number, but says, 'More is always better'.

Even doing housework, such as hoovering or gardening, can count towards your activity.