As people get older, doctors often look at their age, medical history, blood pressure, and chronic diseases to estimate their health risks.
But researchers are increasingly discovering that simple physical abilities can sometimes tell us even more about a person’s future health. Walking speed, grip strength, and balance have all been linked to healthy aging and independence.
Now, a new study led by researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel suggests that another simple ability may offer important clues about long-term health and survival.
The study was published in the journal Gerontology and found that how quickly an older adult can take a voluntary step, especially while mentally distracted, may predict their chances of survival many years later.
The research was led by Professor Itshak Melzer from Ben-Gurion University’s Department of Physical Therapy. The team also included researchers from Soroka University Medical Center, the University of Minnesota, and the company RxFunction Inc.
The scientists wanted to know whether balance and stepping ability could help predict survival in older adults. To answer this question, they studied 120 community-dwelling older adults. These participants were followed for between 10 and 17 years after their initial testing.
The researchers measured two different types of balance. One was static balance, which means standing still and maintaining body stability. The other was dynamic balance, which involves movement, such as quickly stepping in response to a signal.
Participants completed tests under two conditions. In the first condition, they simply had to step as quickly as possible after receiving a signal.
In the second condition, they had to step quickly while also performing a mental task at the same time. This second test required participants to say the color of words that were printed in different colors, a challenge that forces the brain to work harder and divide its attention.
The results were striking. The researchers found that for every additional 100 milliseconds, or one-tenth of a second, that a participant needed to start stepping during the distracted test, the risk of death during the follow-up period increased by about 28 percent.
This may sound like a very tiny difference, but the findings suggest otherwise. A delay of only a fraction of a second may indicate that the brain and body are having more difficulty working together efficiently.
The researchers believe the distracted stepping test reflects overall resilience in aging. Taking a quick step requires many body systems to work together at once.
The brain must process information, make a decision, send signals through the nervous system, and coordinate muscles to produce movement. At the same time, attention and thinking skills must remain strong enough to handle another mental task.
When this process becomes slower, it may be a sign that a person’s reserve capacity is declining. This decline may not yet be obvious during everyday activities, but it could indicate hidden changes that affect long-term health and survival.
The study also found that traditional balance tests, such as measuring body sway while standing with eyes closed, were associated with survival. However, these tests were less accurate than the dynamic stepping tests.
The findings may have practical importance because the stepping test is simple and inexpensive. It requires little equipment and minimal professional training. In the future, doctors and therapists could potentially use similar tests to identify older adults who may need additional support.
Importantly, stepping speed is not fixed. Previous research suggests that balance training and rehabilitation programs can improve stepping performance. This means that the test may do more than simply predict risk. It could help identify people who may benefit from targeted interventions that improve mobility and possibly support healthier aging.
The study’s findings highlight the close connection between the brain and body during aging. They suggest that a simple movement lasting only a fraction of a second can reveal important information about overall health and resilience.
Although the study involved a relatively small number of participants and further research is needed, it provides evidence that dynamic balance and attention may be valuable markers of healthy aging and long-term survival.
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Source: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
