How Fast You Walk May Predict Early Signs Of Dementia


Dementia: A chronic disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning.
The way we walk can say a lot about us; fast walkers are seen as individuals with high energy, while slow walkers are seen as more relaxed. Our gait can reveal more than just our personality - it may also predict our brain health.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests there's a link between walking speed and the onset of dementia in older adults.  A decline in walking speed over an extended period of time was found to predict cognitive impairment. Participants who slowed down by 0.1 seconds more per year were 47 percent more likely to develop cognitive decline, compared to their peers. Moreover, those with a slower walking speed and mental decline experienced a shrinkage in the right hippocampus — associated with complex learning and memory.

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