Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
04:13
Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults
Published on: February 8, 2019
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Rising energetic cost of walking predicts cognitive impairment
Ryan J Dougherty1,2, Jiangxia Wang3, Qu Tian4
1Department of Kinesiology and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|February 24, 2026
Summary
Increased walking energy expenditure in older adults may predict cognitive decline. Preserving walking efficiency could be key to maintaining cognitive health and reducing dementia risk.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Background:
- Aging is associated with increased energetic cost of walking, linked to physical impairments.
- The relationship between walking energy expenditure and cognitive impairment remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between trajectories of walking energetic cost and the development of cognitive impairment in older adults.
- To determine if baseline walking energetic cost predicts the future risk of cognitive impairment.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 687 cognitively normal older adults (mean age 74) over 7.6 years.
- Repeated assessments of walking energy expenditure (oxygen consumption, V̇O2) and cognitive diagnoses.
- Statistical analysis using linear mixed-effects and Cox regression models.
Main Results:
- Participants who developed cognitive impairment showed a steeper increase in walking energetic cost compared to non-progressors.
- Higher baseline energetic cost predicted cognitive impairment in adults aged 75 and older.
- No significant prediction of cognitive impairment was found for those aged 65-74 based on baseline cost.
Conclusions:
- Walking efficiency serves as a physiological link between mobility and cognitive health in aging.
- Maintaining walking efficiency may be a strategy to mitigate the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
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