JAMA Study Links Faster Walking in 4,067 Older Adults to Lower Death Risk Over 12 Years
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 1
JAMA Study Links Faster Walking in 4,067 Older Adults to Lower Death Risk Over 12 Years
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 1
Summary
A JAMA Network Open study tracked 4,067 U.K. adults with an average age of 69 and found that a faster usual walking pace was tied to lower mortality over nearly 12 years.
739 participants died during follow-up, and the link held whether pace was measured in a short walking test or through nine days of wrist-tracker data, even after adjusting for health and lifestyle factors.
Experts said walking speed can act as a “sixth vital sign” because brisk walking depends on coordinated heart, lung, muscle, balance and nervous-system function, making slower pace a possible early warning sign.
The findings show association, not proof that walking faster alone extends life; researchers also said participants were generally healthier than the wider population and tracker-based pace measures lack a single standard.