Research
Mixed
Walking more than 2 miles per day is associated with a significantly lower overall mortality rate compared to walking less than 1 mile per day in older, physically capable, nonsmoking retired men.
If you are an older adult, aim to walk more than 2 miles a day. This level of activity is associated with a significantly lower risk of death compared to walking less than 1 mile. You don't need to run or lift heavy weights; consistent, moderate walking is highly beneficial for longevity.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
After adjustment for age, the mortality rate among the men who walked less than 1 mile (1.6 km) per day was nearly twice that among those who walked more than 2 miles (3.2 km) per day (40.5 percent vs. 23.8 percent, P<0.001).
Why this rating
Large cohort (n=707), long follow-up (12 years), adjusted for multiple confounders, but observational design limits causal inference.
Source
Effects of Walking on Mortality among Nonsmoking Retired Men
Amy Hakim et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 1998
DOI 10.1056/nejm199801083380204
cohort · n=707Cited 560×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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