A cohort study of US adults suggests that walking at least 8,000 steps one or two days per week can lower the risk of death from heart disease and other causes.

A group of researchers from Kyoto University and the University of California evaluated the 10-year follow-up data on more than 3,000 people aged 20 or older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2006.

They found that people who walked more than 8,000 steps once or twice a week had a cardiovascular mortality risk 8.1 percent lower than participants who did not do so any day of the week.

Participants who took 8,000 steps or more three to seven days per week had an 8.4 percent lower risk, little different from that of those who walked once or twice a week.

The group noted that people who have a habit of walking may tend to be more health conscious, but that stretching one's legs even just a couple of days a week could have substantial health benefits.

Kyoto University Assistant Professor Inoue Kosuke says some people may not be able to achieve the recommended step counts every day due to work and family obligations. But he hopes people will get into the habit of walking, as the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease decreases just by walking a couple of days a week.