Walking speed indicator of MCI

The speed at which a person walks could be an indicator of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a new study.

A paper published in Neurology claims that slow walking speed or decreased walking speed in later life could help predict those who will experience MCI in later life.

The discovery was made when researchers measured the walking speed of 93 people aged 70 or over during a three year period.

At the end of the observation phase it was found that 54 participants had no cognitive impairment, 31 had non-memory related MCI and eight had memory related MCI.

The data showed that those who walked slow were nine times more likely to have non-memory MCI.

A spokesperson from the Alzheimer's Society commented: "We've heard before that slow walking speed could be an early indicator of dementia. While this small study doesn't go as far as looking at a link with dementia it certainly does give us more food for thought."

Previously, a study from the University of Pittsburgh found that walking speed was also related to survival in older adults, with those who walk faster living longer.

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