How fast you walk may offer clues about your brain’s aging
A new study found that people over 80 who walked the fastest had a 51% lower risk of cognitive impairment, slower memory decline and better preserved hippocampal volume, suggesting walking speed may offer clues about brain health
A recent study suggests that older individuals who walk at a faster pace may have a lower risk of developing cognitive impairment, despite having similar brain structures as those who walk more slowly. Led by researchers from Stony Brook University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the study found that people over 80 who walked at least 1.5 standard deviations above the age-adjusted average had a 51% lower risk of cognitive decline compared to their slower-walking peers.
Participants in the study were classified as "super movers," walking at a pace of about 1.3 meters per second or 4.7 kilometers per hour. While super movers exhibited slower declines in memory and other cognitive functions, they also showed some accumulation of amyloid protein, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease, yet they did not display clinical symptoms of the condition.
Researchers propose that physical activity, such as walking, may help maintain brain health by increasing blood flow, improving blood vessel health, and regulating blood sugar levels, all of which contribute to cognitive function preservation.
Written by urgent.news from Ynetnews Culture's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
