Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have made an important discovery that could help older adults keep better track of their health.
They found that how tired a person feels after doing everyday activities might actually give clues about how long they might live. This feeling of tiredness, known as fatigue, could be just as important to watch as other health signs like blood pressure or heart rate.
In their study, the researchers looked at the experiences of 2,906 people who were 60 years old or older. Each person was asked to imagine doing different tasks, like taking a slow 30-minute walk, doing light housework, or more tiring activities like heavy gardening.
After each activity, they were asked to rate how tired they thought they would feel on a scale from 0 to 5, with 0 being no tiredness at all and 5 being extremely tired.
When the scientists studied the answers, they found something very interesting. People who expected to feel more tired after these activities were more than twice as likely to pass away within the next 2.7 years compared to those who expected to feel less tired.
This was true even when the researchers took into account other things that usually affect how long people live, like age, existing health problems, and lifestyle habits.
The researchers used a special tool called the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale for this study. This scale was created in 2014 to measure how tired someone expects to feel after doing different activities.
It has been translated into 11 languages and used in different countries, showing that it works well with many types of people. The consistent success of this scale has made it a trusted tool in studies about aging.
This study is the first to show a clear link between how tired a person feels after everyday activities and how long they might live.
While earlier research had already shown that being physically active can help people feel less tired, this new study shows that the feeling of tiredness itself—how much someone thinks they will feel tired—can be an important warning sign about their overall health.
The results have big meaning for how we think about health in older adults. It suggests that paying attention to feelings of fatigue could help spot health problems early. If an older person notices that they are feeling more tired than usual after simple activities, it might be a sign to check in with a doctor. This could lead to earlier help and better health outcomes.
The study was led by Nancy W. Glynn and published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. It adds a new piece to the puzzle of how we can help people live not just longer lives, but healthier ones too.
By listening to how their bodies feel, especially noticing changes in their level of tiredness, older adults might be able to catch health problems sooner and take steps to stay well. This research offers a simple but powerful tool to help support the health and wellbeing of older people everywhere.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about nutrients that could combat inflammation in older people, and essential foods for healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between processed foods and chronic diseases, and a simple diet change for a healthier life after 65.
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