Walking Speed and Survival

The faster you walk, the longer you may live. Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh reviewed nine earlier studies of older people. The investigators specifically analyzed the link between speed of walking and longevity. The differences were especially apparent among people over 75. Those who walked fastest, at roughly a yard per second, lived longer than expected based on actuarial predictions. The investigators speculate that this simple test that requires only a stopwatch and a walkway could help doctors determine which patients are good candidates for more intense interventions to improve quality of life over the long term.
[JAMA, Jan. 5, 2010]