A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh has found that older adults who feel extremely tired after daily activities are more likely to pass away within a few years. This discovery suggests that fatigue may be an important warning sign of overall health and longevity.
The research revealed that people aged 60 and older who reported feeling very tired after simple tasks, such as walking for 30 minutes or doing light housework, had a much higher risk of dying within the next 2.7 years compared to those who felt less fatigued.
Scientists have long known that physical activity can help reduce tiredness, but this study is the first to directly link severe fatigue to a higher risk of early death.
To measure fatigue levels, the researchers used a tool called the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale, which was developed by the University of Pittsburgh in 2014. This scale helps assess how tired a person feels after different activities. Since its creation, it has been widely used in studies and translated into 11 languages.
The study analyzed data from 2,906 participants who were part of the Long-Life Family Study, a large research project focused on aging and longevity. Each participant rated their expected tiredness on a scale from 0 to 5 after performing different activities, ranging from easy tasks like a slow walk to more intense work like heavy gardening.
After accounting for other factors that could influence lifespan, the researchers found a clear pattern: those who scored 25 or higher on the fatigue scale were 2.3 times more likely to die in the following 2.7 years compared to those with lower scores.
This suggests that high levels of fatigue are a strong predictor of mortality risk in older adults. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring fatigue levels as part of routine health care for aging individuals.
Beyond this specific study, the research aligns with broader findings on healthy aging. It supports the idea that staying physically active, eating well, and maintaining good overall health can improve longevity. Fatigue may be more than just a passing feeling—it could be a sign that the body is struggling with underlying health problems.
These results emphasize the need for both doctors and older adults to pay attention to increasing tiredness. Addressing fatigue through better lifestyle choices, physical activity, and medical checkups could help improve health outcomes in later life.
Published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, this study, led by researcher Nancy W. Glynn, offers new insights into how fatigue may serve as an early warning sign for serious health issues, providing a fresh perspective on aging and longevity.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
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