Walking more slowly in old age could be a sign of dementia, a new study has suggested. The research, carried out by the University of Minnesota and Monash University, says that the ability to walk could become more difficult as the brain declines.
The study, which monitored people over 75, found that those who lost 0.05 meters per second from their pace every year had signs of mental decline. Researchers said this could be due to a link between brain decline affecting the areas involved in controlling walking and pace, reports the Daily Record.
The study tracked 17,000 older adults over a seven-year period, with walking speeds and cognition tested every other year. Those who were declining in both cognition and walking speed were found to be at a higher risk of dementia.
