Walking speed may be an indicator of the risk of premature death.
Walking speed may be a more accurate indicator of the risk of premature death than traditional medical parameters such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of Leicester after analyzing data from over 400,000 adult participants in the UK Biobank. The results were published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings (MCP).
Researchers assessed five simple indicators of physical condition: walking speed, grip strength, resting heart rate, sleep duration, and level of physical activity. It turned out that walking speed was the strongest predictor of mortality, especially among people with chronic diseases.
In some cases, this indicator even surpassed traditional risk factors. Replacing data on blood pressure and cholesterol with information on walking pace allowed for a more accurate assessment of risk levels and to "reclassify" patients into more appropriate groups.
The authors note that such simple and accessible indicators can be used for quick health assessments without complex tests. According to them, this opens up opportunities for more accurate prevention and early identification of individuals at increased risk of premature death.
