Need 10,000 steps a day? Older women don’t.

Daily step count is much more important for the health of older women than frequency. New research from the British Journal of Sports Medicine says 4,000 steps once or twice a week is associated with a 26%-to-27% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death, though higher daily step counts had no influence on cardio disease. They did, however, lower the risk of death from any cause to 40%. “These findings provide additional evidence for considering including step metrics in the next (physical activity) guidelines,” the authors note, “and that ‘bunching’ steps is a viable option for health.”