Walking Speed and Longevity

Does Your Walking Speed Predict Your Life Expectancy?

We’ve all heard about blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight as measures of health. But did you know there’s another number that may be just as important — and it doesn’t require a doctor’s office to measure?

It’s your walking speed.

🚶‍♂️ What the Research Shows

A large study published in JAMA followed more than 34,000 adults age 65 and older. Researchers wanted to know whether walking speed could predict survival.

The results were striking: faster walkers consistently lived longer.

In fact, walking speed turned out to be a simpler and stronger predictor of life expectancy than many traditional factors, including chronic health conditions, smoking history, and blood pressure.

📊 The Chart: Walking Speed and Life Expectancy

Here’s the chart adapted from the study that shows how gait speed (measured in meters per second) related to average life expectancy:

Figure adapted from Studenski S, et al. JAMA. 2011;305(1):50–58. doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.1923. Used for educational purposes.

🧮 How to Measure Your Walking Speed

Mark out a distance of 4 meters (about 13 feet) in a hallway or flat path.
Walk at your usual pace, not rushing.
Use a stopwatch to time how long it takes.
Divide the distance (4 meters) by your time in seconds — that’s your speed in meters per second.

Compare your result with the chart above to see how you measure up.

💡 Why This Matters

Walking speed isn’t just about muscles — it reflects the health of your heart, lungs, nervous system, and overall vitality. That’s why it’s such a powerful indicator of longevity.

And the good news? Unlike genetics, walking speed can be improved with consistent movement, strength training, and healthy lifestyle choices.

Take the Next Step

Curious how you can improve your healthspan — not just your lifespan?

At Palm Beach Functional Health, I help people build personalized, science-backed strategies to move better, feel stronger, and thrive longer.

📅 Book a free discovery call here.

Want more detail? The full research article can be found here.

Studenski S, Perera S, Patel K, Rosano C, Faulkner K, Inzitari M, Brach J, Chandler J, Cawthon P, Connor EB, Nevitt M, Visser M, Kritchevsky S, Badinelli S, Harris T, Newman AB, Cauley J, Ferrucci L, Guralnik J. Gait speed and survival in older adults. JAMA. 2011 Jan 5;305(1):50-8. doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.1923. PMID: 21205966; PMCID: PMC3080184.

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