Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Just file away



Walking every day is good for you.


We all know that.

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But the speed at which you walk could also be a key factor in determining how long you live.
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The faster you walk, the longer you live, researchers have found 
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This after studying the walking speeds of 34,485 people aged 65 years and older.  
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The difference in walking speed becomes especially significant once you reach the age of 75, say researchers from the University of Pittsburgh.  
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While the average walking speed is around 0.8 meters (2.6 feet) a second, 
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Those who walked at the faster tempo of 1 meter (3.3 feet) a second were up to 87 per cent more likely to be alive 10 years later if male, and 91 per cent if female.
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The researchers say that walking speed is as good a predictor of longevity as medical history – such as blood pressure, obesity and chronic disease - 
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And lifestyle choices, such as smoking.
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Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2011; 305: 93.

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