Is it true that your walking speed must be ‘this fast’ for your brain to function normally?

Even as people age, healthy people walk briskly and powerfully. If their gait slows noticeably and they appear weak, this could indicate a brain wave abnormality. According to the American health portal site "TheHealthy," previous research has shown that healthy seniors over 60 have a walking speed of over 1 meter per second. However, even healthy seniors slow down to over 0.9 meters per second after age 85.

So, at what walking speed does cognitive impairment begin to occur in older adults? According to a joint study by the Aston University Centre for Ageing and Health Research in the UK and the Cuban Centre for Longevity, Aging, and Health, approximately 86% of those aged 60 and older with a walking speed of less than 0.8 meters per second exhibited abnormalities in their brain waves. This means that in older adults whose walking speed falls below a certain level, abnormal changes in the frequency composition of their brain waves occur, which can lead to cognitive impairment.

In particular, a sharp drop in gait speed below 0.6 meters per second was found to be associated with increased hospitalization in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, as well as death. This finding was based on an analysis of 95 independently living elderly people in Havana, Cuba. The results of this study ("Association between gait speed deterioration and EEG abnormalities") were published in the international journal PLOS ONE.

Dr. Valeria Rodriguez (neurophysiology) at Aston University in the UK said, “People whose walking speed is less than 0.8 meters per second, that is, those who cannot walk 48 meters per minute, have abnormalities in their brain waves.” She added, “This shows that walking speed can be an early indicator of cognitive decline. It is good to pay close attention to even small changes that appear as we age.” If you usually walk fast and energetically, such as at least 60 meters per minute (a walking speed of more than 1.0 meters per second), your brain is considered very healthy. Early symptoms of dementia include forgetfulness, losing objects, disorientation, and difficulty finding the right words.

 

 

Research also found that people with a walking speed of less than 0.8 meters per second were three times more likely to develop brain wave abnormalities. They were also found to have an 87% higher risk of developing brain dysfunction. This suggests that slower walking speed and slower brain wave frequency composition may be indicators of brain health in older adults. Meanwhile, muscle strength is known to decline by 1.5% per year, and by 3% per year after age 60.

 

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Muscle strength declines by 1.5% per year, and by 3% per year after age 60.

As we age, we need to maintain our muscles through active physical activity and sufficient nutrition.

The rate of decrease in power must be reduced.

A study found that people with slow walking speeds have abnormalities in their brain waves.

 

Muscle strength decreases by 1.5% every year. You need to manage your muscle strength before that happens.

Managing your diet while exercising

I think I need to check my own walking speed.