Evaluation of movement speed and reaction time as predictors of all-cause mortality in men.
Muscle power is associated with mortality independent of strength, suggesting that movement speed and coordination convey health-related information. We hypothesized that movement speed is a marker of longevity. Our participants included 1196 men who performed a tapping and/or auditory simple (respond to a sound) and disjunctive (respond to a higher pitched sound) reaction-time tasks while participating in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Mortality was assessed over 40 years. Tapping time was associated with mortality (relative risk [RR] = 1.34 per minute, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.70) adjusted for age, and persisted with adjustments for arm strength and power. Simple (RR = 1.17 per 100 ms, 95% CI, 1.03-1.32) and disjunctive (RR = 1.14 per 100 ms, 95% CI, 1.03-1.27) reaction times but not their difference (RR = 1.04 per 100 ms, 95% CI, 0.92-1.19) were associated with mortality after adjustments for age, neurological/psychiatric and neck/arm pain histories. Age-associated impairments in motor control systems but not the decision to move affects longevity.
Metter
E Jeffrey
EJ
National Institute on Aging, 3001 South Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21225, USA. MetterJ@grc.nia.nih.gov
Schrager
Mathew
M
Ferrucci
Luigi
L
Talbot
Laura A
LA
D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D013997:Time Factors