The way you walk may reveal how long you will live. Study finds a simple clue linked to longer lifespan

As people age, doctors often look at common health markers such as blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol to understand their overall well-being. In recent years, researchers have also been paying closer attention to simple physical movements that may reveal how the body and brain are ageing together. A new study now suggests that the speed at which an older person begins taking a step, particularly while performing another mental task, could offer important clues about their long-term health and even their risk of death.

The research was led by Professor Itshak Melzer from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's Department of Physical Therapy, along with researchers from Ben-Gurion University, Soroka University Medical Center and the University of Minnesota. Published in the journal Gerontology, the study tracked 120 community-dwelling adults aged over 65 for a period ranging from 10 to 17 years.

To understand the link between movement and survival, participants completed two stepping tests. In the first, they were asked to begin a step as quickly as possible after receiving a cue. In the second, they repeated the same task while also completing a modified Stroop test, where they had to name the ink colour of words printed in different colours. This dual-task test was designed to examine how well the brain could manage thinking and movement at the same time.

Slower step initiation linked to higher mortality risk

The researchers found that every additional 100 milliseconds, or one-tenth of a second, taken to start a step during the distracted test was associated with a 28 percent higher risk of death during the follow-up period.

Participants who did not survive the study generally took around 423 milliseconds to initiate a step, compared with an average of 313 milliseconds among those who survived. Their overall step duration was also slower, averaging 1.3 seconds compared with 1.1 seconds for survivors.

The team also assessed balance by asking participants to stand barefoot with their eyes closed. Poor balance was linked to a higher mortality risk as well, although the stepping test proved to be a more accurate predictor.

The researchers concluded, "Incorporating dual-task based assessments into standard clinical evaluations could significantly improve survival prediction and help guide early interventions targeting cognitive-motor health."

Why walking speed changes with age

According to the researchers, walking speed naturally slows with age because of muscle weakness, reduced joint flexibility, poorer balance and slower brain processing. Calf muscles gradually lose strength over time, resulting in shorter steps, while slower nerve signals between the brain and muscles can make movement less efficient. Age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis can also contribute by causing pain and stiffness.

The researchers believe slower step initiation may reflect lower neurological and physical resilience, making older adults more vulnerable to falls and other health complications. At the same time, they noted that step initiation speed is not fixed. Earlier clinical trials have shown that targeted balance training and rehabilitation programmes can improve this ability, raising the possibility that the test could help identify people who may benefit from early intervention.

The authors also acknowledged several limitations. The study involved a relatively small sample of participants and tested them under only one set of conditions. They stressed that the findings show an association between slower step initiation and mortality risk, rather than proving that slower stepping directly causes a shorter lifespan.