How fast do you walk?

[Shutterbug]

An article in USA Today is headlined, "Walking speed appears to predict longevity." Seven different studies have shown that for people over 65, how fast they walk is a good predicter of how long they will live.

A couple of weeks ago, I met an 80 year old hiker near the peak of Mt. Wrightson. Based on the USA Today article, he has an 84% chance of living to be at least 90.

It makes sense.

[Fog Horn]

Link to article? Or maybe a synopsis? Walk fast = die early, or die later?

[Ladytrekker]

http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/2011-01-05-walking05_ST_N.htm

I just did a 5k and did 3.1 in 58 minutes does that put me in the 90's. LOL.

[mcskinney]

cool story bro

[Fog Horn]

My great grandfather lived till 102 years old, and I can't remember him walking or doing anything fast, ever. Then again, I'm pretty sure I didn't know him before he turned ninety.

Thanks for the article :)

[G-WALK]

2.5 mph. with a break in there...

[Toolshed]

A bit of good news for walkers

[Feral Bill]

If speed is the key I've been dead for years.:mad:

[LoneRidgeRunner]

Don't know..I'm not rigged with a speedometer.....But I will see that I just take my time and enjoy the scenery as much as possible. Whether a hike takes me 3 days or 5 isn't important to me as long as I have ample food for it.

[LoneRidgeRunner]

If speed is the key I've been dead for years.:mad:

Me too.........

[moytoy]

Although it's an interesting article It seems a bit myopic to me. The article talks about normal gait in relation to speed. A short legged person is not going to walk as fast as a person with long legs. So two people with the same gait will walk at different speeds and thus should benefit the same. Also there is no mention of time spent walking. A slow walker walking a long time should be able to gain the same benefits as a walker who walks fast but for a short period of time.
Of course the article is not talking about benefits of walking just that walking at a faster normal gait gives indications of longevity. I'm just saying there are reasons that people who walk fast may live longer.
I don't think anybody would argue the benefits of walking. Having said that it's also true that DNA plays a huge role in how long we live.

[58starter]

I have always been slow. Knees were operated at age 17 but they still work very well. I usually can hike with a full pack about 1.5 miles and hour. Sure the younger guys get to the shelter before me, but once I get there, I still have enough left to get camp set up before I collaspe.

[garlic08]

I enjoyed that article, too, and immediately thought about all the 80 year-olds I hike with. I appreciated how the article did not attempt to prove causality, and merely presented the research as a tool.

[horicon]

I just walk or you might call it hiking. Do not do what whey all call walkinmg at track meets.

[fredmugs]

Glenn Beck logic. You see one global thing, you see one micro thing, you illogically believe there is a connection between the two.

[horicon]

No, Its called living after knee surgery. It is saying you are taking a walk but you mean a hike so your co - works are not worried.

[sheepdog]

unless of course, you walk quickly in front of a truck :eek:

[Helios]

Walking faster helps you get out of the way of cars, speeding bullets, etc... therefore helps you live longer.

I personally prefer the change up. Slow/Fast/Slow. It's my anti-terrorist walk. Makes me a harder target to hit.