Crossword puzzles and brain teasers have long been touted as ways to keep the mind sharp. But a new study points to another strategy that may matter just as much: staying fast on your feet.
Researchers have found that people in their 80s who maintain an exceptionally quick walking pace, dubbed “super movers,” are also far more likely to stay mentally sharp compared to their slower-moving peers of the same age.
Sounds more like “Old people whose nervous system can handle fast walking have less nervous system decline.”
Indeed. It seems like a correlation. I’ve noticed some older people in my life really slow down and they don’t notice but they don’t do stairs without a handle and hold on getting into car and that sort of thing. Strength and nervous system are all reducing.
I suspect it’s easier to quantify and notice physical performance. Maybe easier to excuse forgetfulness, difficulty/refusing to learn a new gadget or app, or just getting out of practice with communication. And, as always, you can’t use an impaired brain to evaluate the brain’s impairment.
I know a lot of old people who want to walk fast, but they have been forced to slow down because their body (often balance) won’t allow it. They might be able to run from point A to point B just like when they were young - but the most likely outcome is they fall and break arms and legs. Thus they slowly hobble along with a cane, it is slower, but safer.
I honestly judge slow walkers very harshly so I’m glad to find scientific justification for it
