Speed You Walk Could Predict Dementia Later In Life [Study]

The speed at which you walk could be an early indicator as to whether or not you’ll end up with dementia later in life.

While US researchers admit that more studies are necessary they suggest that a link between slow walking and poor health have been made in the past. In that 2009 study published in the British Medical Journal researchers found a “strong association” between slow walking and death, heart attacks and other heart related problems.

In this newest study Dr Erica Camargo of the Boston Medical Centre, said:

“While frailty and lower physical performance in elderly people have been associated with an increased risk of dementia, we weren’t sure until now how it impacted people of middle age.”

Researchers studied 2,410 people who’s average age was 62-years-old and then re-examined those same people 11 years later. The researchers noted that 34 people had developed dementia while 79 others had strokes.

From their findings researchers found that slower walking speeds were linked to higher rates of dementia. They also found that people with stronger “grips” tend to suffer from fewer strokes.

At this time researchers still need to conduct specific tests to determine why the speed someone walks affects their chances of developing or avoiding dementia.

More studies are planned for the future and will focus on information regarding walking speed and grip strength and how they affect stroke and dementia patients.

In the meantime various studies have shown that fast walkers live longer lives.

Do you think the speed you walk can actually determine if you will develop dementia later in life?