Effects of physiological aging on speaking and reading rates

Reading and speaking rates were studied in 48 male subjects representing two levels of physiological condition ("good" and "poor") within each of three chronological age groupings (25-35, 45-55, 65-75 yr). Results indicated reading and speaking rates were significantly slower in old age subjects (65-75 yr) than they were in young age subjects (25-35 yr). These age-related differences were most apparent in subjects in "poor" physiological condition. These findings lend further support to the hypothesis that physiological condition is a significant variable to consider in the analysis of speech characteristics.