A new study using genetic data from more than 400,000 adults in the UK, found a relationship between walking speed and rangefinder length, a genetic marker of biological age.

It was in the investigation published in the journal ‘Biology of Communication’estimated by researchers at the University of Leicester walking briskly can be equal to no more and no less than 16 years of biological age in middle-aged people.

Moving faster, regardless of the amount of physical activity, was associated with longer telomeres, they noted. The study is one of the first to compare genetic data to walking speed.

“This study uses genetic data to provide stronger evidence for a causal relationship between faster walking speed and longer telomere length. Data from wrist-worn tracking devices to measure habitual physical activity support a greater role for intensity (walk faster) in relation to telomere length,” said Paddy Dempsey, lead author of the study.

What is a telometer?

Telomeres are DNA sequences located at the end of the chromosome; responsible for the number of times a cell is able to divide. The longer this is, the more the number of cell divisions and the life expectancy for the organisms they make. A cell, whose telomeres have been shortened to their limit, cannot divide.

How many walks a day?

These same researchers have previously mentioned that, 10 minutes of brisk walking a day, as this is associated with a longer life expectancy of up to 20 years compared to people who walk slowly.

“Although we previously demonstrated that walking speed was a very strong predictor of health status, We haven’t been able to confirm that adopting a brisk walking pace actually leads to better health,” explains Tom Yates, lead author of the study and professor of physical activity.I

DAG