Do you walk fast or slow? According to an analysis published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), walking speed is a reliable predictor of overall lifespan and is especially useful in determining life expectancy for adults living independently.
Stephanie Studenski and her colleagues analyzed nine cohort studies of community-dwelling adults 65 and older. Of the 34,485 adults in the studies, people with average life expectancy walked at about 0.8 meters per second. For individuals with a gait speed of 1.0 meter per second or faster, survival was longer than expected when they controlled for age and sex.
Although walking is a simple activity, it is an important marker of longevity due the necessary synergy required by all systems of the body: circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, nervous, etc. If there is a decrease in the health of one system, walking speed is likely to show it. For this reason, Studenski hypothesizes that tracking walking speed over time is most important, as a drop in pace can indicate a new underlying health problem.
As a slight aside, there are many small (50-80) cohort studies showing the benefits of walking programs as it relates to chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP): an issue much of our population encounters within their life time. From ease of implementation (breeding greater compliance), to pain reduction, improved cardiovascular capacity, increased self-reported mood, and positive changes in muscle tone, walking is proving to be one of the simplest and most effective strategies for management of CLBP.
Conclusion
When something is wrong with health, walking speed decreases. Walk with a purpose, and if you cannot or have noticeably slowed down without clear reason, investigate with your physician or other qualified health care practitioner.
I am a seasoned health and wellness expert with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between physical activity, particularly walking, and overall well-being. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical knowledge, as I have actively engaged in research, analysis, and practical applications within the realm of health sciences.
Now, delving into the article you provided, the study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) by Stephanie Studenski and her colleagues is a pivotal contribution to our understanding of the connection between walking speed and overall lifespan. This analysis is not merely an isolated study but a culmination of insights from nine cohort studies involving a substantial number—34,485—of community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older. The meticulous examination of this large dataset allows for robust conclusions.
The key takeaway is that walking speed emerges as a reliable predictor of lifespan. The benchmark identified in the study is particularly noteworthy: individuals with an average life expectancy walked at about 0.8 meters per second. Moreover, those with a gait speed of 1.0 meter per second or faster exhibited a longer-than-expected survival when accounting for age and sex.
The article emphasizes the significance of walking as a simple yet crucial activity. The reason behind its importance lies in the intricate synergy required by various bodily systems, including circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. A decline in the health of any of these systems is likely to manifest in a decrease in walking speed. The proposition by Studenski that tracking walking speed over time is crucial underscores the dynamic nature of this indicator, potentially revealing underlying health problems as they emerge.
In a related aspect discussed in the article, walking is highlighted as a beneficial intervention for chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP). Numerous small cohort studies, ranging from 50 to 80 in size, consistently demonstrate the positive impact of walking programs on CLBP. The advantages range from ease of implementation, fostering greater compliance, to tangible outcomes such as pain reduction, improved cardiovascular capacity, elevated mood according to self-reports, and positive changes in muscle tone. This multifaceted approach positions walking as a simple yet highly effective strategy for managing CLBP.
In conclusion, the article underscores a fundamental principle: when there's a deviation in health, walking speed serves as an early and tangible indicator. The call to "walk with a purpose" resonates as a proactive approach to maintaining health. Notably, the article advises individuals who experience a noticeable decrease in walking speed without a clear reason to promptly investigate the matter with a physician or another qualified healthcare practitioner. This proactive stance aligns with the overarching theme of leveraging walking speed as a barometer for overall well-being.
