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Speed walking may be the key to preserving brain volume in regions critical to learning and memory
A group of octogenarians dubbed "super movers" – individuals in their eighties who walk at notably greater speeds than others of the same age and sex – have been identified in a study published last month in the journal Neurology.
These exceptionally brisk walkers faced roughly half the likelihood of developing cognitive impairment compared with their slower-paced contemporaries.
Researchers classified super movers as those aged 80 and above whose walking pace exceeded the average for their demographic by at least 1.5 standard deviations. In everyday terms, these are people who move with unusual swiftness for their years.
The findings, published on 14 July, build on earlier research into so-called "SuperAgers" – elderly individuals whose memories remain remarkably intact – by shifting the focus from mental acuity to physical capability.
The study drew on multiple existing datasets of older adults. Its largest analysis tracked nearly 4,000 people aged 80 and over over roughly three to five years, excluding anyone who already showed signs of cognitive decline.
A second, more focused examination involved close to 200 participants who underwent detailed cognitive assessments alongside MRI brain scans. Among this group, super movers showed a slower rate of decline in memory and other cognitive functions.
Their scans revealed superior preservation of brain volume in regions critical to learning and memory.
A third cohort of more than 690 individuals reinforced the pattern. Super movers within this group demonstrated stronger cognitive performance and a lower prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia types.
Walking may appear straightforward, yet it is in truth a remarkably complex undertaking. The brain must simultaneously coordinate muscular and nervous systems whilst processing sensory data relating to balance, vision and one's surroundings.
Dr Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, stressed that the findings demonstrate correlation rather than causation.
"Super movers could differ from other people in many ways," she noted. "They might have been more physically active throughout their lives, for instance."
Those who walk briskly in old age may also benefit from fewer chronic conditions, better diets, genetic fortune, greater financial resources or more robust social networks.
It is equally plausible that brains ageing particularly well simply enable their owners to sustain a faster gait. Preserving strong physical function into one's eighties may therefore serve as an indicator of healthy cerebral ageing rather than a direct cause of it.
Though the study itself does not address whether one can become a super mover later in life, separate research published in March in the journal Geriatrics found that up to 45 per cent of over-65s improved their physical or cognitive function over a 12-year follow-up period.
Dr Wen recommended that sedentary individuals begin with brief, gentle strolls before gradually extending duration and frequency. Those already walking regularly might introduce short bursts at a brisker pace or tackle hillier routes.
Strength training is equally vital, she emphasised, as maintaining muscle mass helps older people stay mobile and independent. Balance exercises can, meanwhile, reduce the risk of falls.
Anyone experiencing a notable or unexplained decline in walking speed ought to raise the matter with their GP, as numerous treatable conditions — from joint arthritis to medication side effects — may be responsible.
