In adults over 65, each 0.1 m/s faster walking speed went with 12% lower mortality
Does walking speed predict life expectancy?
The finding
Pooled hazard ratio per 0.1 m/s faster: 0.88 (0.87–0.90). About 0.8 m/s matched median life expectancy; 1.0 m/s or faster consistently went with longer-than-expected survival for age and sex.
- Authors
- Studenski S, Perera S, Patel K, et al.
- Published
- JAMA 305(1):50–8 · 2011
- Evidence
- Read in the primary source; numbers checked.
- Source
- doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.1923
How it was studied
Pooled individual data from 9 cohorts (1986–2000): 34,485 adults aged 65 and over, mean age 73.5, follow-up 6–21 years, 17,528 deaths. Usual pace, standing start.
The numbers
At 75, predicted 10-year survival across gait speeds ranged from 19% to 87% in men and 35% to 91% in women.
What it does not show
Older adults only. The 1.0 and 1.2 m/s points are the authors’ interpretation, not tested cut-offs.
What Longstanding does with it
Gait speed is not one of the ten tests. It is here as context for why the battery measures function rather than appearance.