Study links walking pace to longevity
A study published in 2026 in JAMA Network Open found that a faster walking pace could be associated with a significantly lower risk of premature death. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology tracked more than 4,000 British civil servants participating in the long-term Whitehall II health study, who were on average 69 years old at the time of measurements.Participants monitored over years
The participants underwent clinical check-ups every four to five years. In 2012 and 2013, the team measured their walking speed in a laboratory setting and equipped each participant with a sensor to count steps per minute during daily life, away from the scientists' observation.Faster walking linked to lower death risk
Over the course of the study, the fastest walkers had a 23% lower risk of death, while a more sustained pace was associated with a 17% lower risk. These findings remained linked to survival even after accounting for the total number of steps taken each day, suggesting that the way people walk is as important as the quantity of steps.Study does not prove cause and effect
The study does not prove that walking faster prolongs life, as walking speed and health may be influenced by the same underlying factors. It is possible that people who are already unwell walk more slowly, rather than slow walking shortening life.Experts note multiple possible factors
According to Dr. Theodore Strange, head of service at the university hospital in New York, there are many reasons why a faster walk could be linked to a longer life.
