Most people never think about how quickly they react when taking their first step. It is an automatic movement that happens countless times each day, yet researchers believe it could provide valuable insight into how well the body is ageing.
According to a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, published in the journal Gerontology, this overlooked action may help identify older adults at greater risk of declining health, reports UNILAD.
How the study worked
Researchers followed 120 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older for between 10 and 17 years. Rather than measuring overall walking speed alone, they focused on how quickly participants could initiate a step after receiving a signal.
Participants completed both a simple stepping task and a more demanding test that required them to perform a cognitive exercise while stepping.
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The researchers found the dual-task assessment provided the clearest indication of long-term health outcomes because it challenged both the brain and the body's movement systems simultaneously.
Why it matters
The study found that every additional 100 milliseconds needed to begin a step during the dual-task test was associated with a 28 percent higher risk of mortality over the follow-up period.
According to the research team, slower reactions may reflect how effectively the brain coordinates movement while processing information.
As people age, muscle strength, balance, joint flexibility and cognitive processing naturally decline. Together, these changes can increase the likelihood of falls, injuries and loss of independence, making mobility an important indicator of overall health.
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More research is needed
The researchers emphasise that the findings show an association rather than proving that slower step initiation directly shortens life expectancy. They also note that the study involved a relatively small number of participants, meaning larger studies are needed to confirm the results.
However, previous research has shown that balance, coordination and reaction speed can improve through targeted exercise and rehabilitation.
The team believes similar assessments could eventually help healthcare professionals identify older adults who may benefit from early intervention to maintain mobility and healthy ageing.
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