BEERSHEBA — Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that the speed at which older adults initiate a step, especially when performing a cognitive task simultaneously, can indicate their longevity. This finding was published in the journal Gerontology under the title "Speed of voluntary step execution may predict survival among older adults: An explorative study."

The study established a link between step initiation latency and the risk of mortality. For each 100-millisecond increase in the time taken to initiate a step under dual-task conditions, the risk of death increased by 28%. "When we looked at the Health Ministry's registry, if they died and when, we found that those who stepped faster than 100 milliseconds lived over a year longer on average than those who were slower," said Itshak Melzer, a professor in the university's physical therapy department who led the research.

"We tested people in the lab who were 80 and checked if they were still alive 20 years later; not many survived," Melzer said. He noted that the research was a pilot study based on statistics and that traditional static balance measurements, such as anterior-posterior postural sway velocity, are less effective than dynamic stepping tests for predicting mortality risk. Participants in the dual-task setup were instructed to take rapid steps while simultaneously completing a modified Stroop task, which involved identifying the ink color of words printed in different colors.

Melzer stated, "Incorporating dual-task-based assessments into standard clinical evaluations could significantly improve survival prediction and help guide early interventions targeting cognitive-motor health." He advised that older individuals should avoid conversing while walking to reduce the risk of falls. "We know that drivers who talk on their phones have a much slower reaction time," Melzer said. "But you can't easily stop people from talking."

Melzer added that the study's results represent averages, not individual patient predictions. "There are people who are slowest and will not die prematurely," he said. "Those who are fastest mustn't think they'll live forever." The team plans to conduct further studies with a larger participant group. "We will study it with more people and follow up," Melzer said. "We need to test and follow up with a larger group." "And our results showed averages – not predictions of individual patients."

Why It Matters

This study introduces a potential new method for assessing health and longevity in older adults by focusing on cognitive-motor function. The findings suggest that dynamic balance tests, particularly those involving cognitive load, might offer a more accurate prediction of mortality risk than traditional static balance measurements. This approach could inform healthcare practices by prompting earlier interventions based on an individual's step initiation speed, potentially improving the quality and length of life for some older adults.