But what’s the origin story behind this specific tally? Interestingly, reports suggest that the 10,000-step target surged in popularity due to a promotional stunt tied to the 1964 Olympics for a pedometer called Manpo-kei, which translates to “10,000 step meter”. This is because the kanji for ten-thousand (万) resembles a person striding, reports SurreyLive. How many steps should you walk per day? The quest to pinpoint the ultimate step count has intrigued researchers, with studies yielding varying verdicts. According to findings published in a recent 2022 study in JAMA Neurology, clocking up anything from 3,800 to 9,800 steps daily could be associated with a diminished risk of dementia. The research suggests that just shy of 10,000 steps, particularly when taken briskly at a pace of around 112 steps per minute, might be the “optimal dose” for lowering the chances of developing dementia. Researchers have discovered that there’s no need to panic if you’re not hitting the 10,000 steps a day target.