If you walk regularly with your spouse or partner, consider picking up the pace—or discussing it. Researchers from Purdue University's nursing, health and exercise sciences, and human development and family studies departments analyzed data from 141 individuals across 72 couples, aged 25-79. They walked in varied settings: clear and obstacle-filled paths, side-by-side, hand-in-hand, and solo. Results showed couples consistently slowed down together, with even greater reductions when holding hands.
“Partners in committed relationships often support each other's healthy lifestyles, including exercise,” explains Melissa Franks, associate professor of human development and family studies.
Libby Richards, associate professor of nursing, notes, “We hoped slower walkers would match their faster partner's speed, but they didn't. Remember, any walking beats none—and pairing up boosts activity levels, aligning with the 150 minutes of weekly moderate exercise recommended for Americans.”
However, Richards adds, “Significant slowdowns with a partner can diminish the cardiovascular and other benefits of brisk solo walking.”
Shirley Rietdyk, professor of health and exercise sciences specializing in biomechanics, emphasizes walking speed's health implications: “It's a key indicator of overall health, predicting fall risk, functional ability, disability recovery, and even mortality.”
Effective interventions like strength, coordination, and multimodal training can boost gait speed, delay declines, and preserve it with age. Rietdyk advises, “Choose activities you'll stick with.” While walking is accessible, speeds naturally decline with age unless countered by consistent activity. “Active older adults maintain their pace,” she says. “Slower gait isn't inevitable—it's often tied to poorer health and function.”
