Move over, Batman.
A new group of “superhumans” has emerged — and they’re all 80-plus.
A study published in Neurology has identified a rare group of older adults called “super movers” who appear to have a remarkable advantage: a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline, even when their brains show the same Alzheimer-related changes seen in others their age.
Researchers describe the group as having a “novel exceptional aging phenotype” — a biological profile that may reveal important clues about how some people maintain brain health despite effects of aging.
The ability is surprisingly simple: walking speed.
Only about 6 to 10% of adults qualify as super movers. These people walk faster than average for their age and sex, typically at a speed of someone about 30 years younger.
Previous research has found they tend to have fewer chronic medical conditions, healthier lifestyles, less depression and a younger biological age compared with their peers.
But the latest study went further, examining whether that physical advantage translated into stronger cognitive health.
Researchers analyzed nearly 4,000 adults from the Health and Retirement Study network over several years, tracking participants to see whether super movers experienced less cognitive decline over time.
The results were striking: Super movers had better cognitive function than others of the same age and sex. The researchers also found fewer new diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia among the group — even though they had similar levels of dementia-related brain changes.
That was one of the most intriguing findings, according to lead author Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, Chair and Professor of Neurology at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University.
“This suggests they may possess resilience mechanisms that allow them to maintain cognitive function even in the presence of age-related brain changes,” he told The Post. “Understanding these resilience factors could help us develop new strategies to promote healthy brain aging.”
While more research is needed, he pointed to one conclusion: “The biggest takeaway is that mobility and brain health are deeply interconnected.”
Dr. Alexander Mauskop, MD, founder of NY Headache Center and a professor of clinical neurology at SUNY Downstate, wrote in a blog post that the study also carries important implications for aging, gait, headaches and migraines.
The “super mover” profile likely reflects decades of better vascular health, regular exercise, and other protective lifestyle factors — many of the same factors recommended for migraine control and stroke prevention.
Mauskop noted that the findings offer doctors another way to frame those recommendations.
“Walking regularly, maintaining strength and balance, and protecting gait speed into late life can be presented not only as good for the heart and for migraine, but also as a strategy to support cognitive resilience,” he wrote.
But should older adults increase their daily steps in hopes of protecting their brains?
Verghese cautioned that the study cannot establish cause and effect. He believes faster walking may be both a sign of a healthier brain and a factor that helps preserve it.
“Walking speed reflects the integrated health of multiple organ systems, including the brain, muscles, heart, metabolism, and nervous system,” he explained.
“At the same time, regular physical activity may help preserve brain health through improved cardiovascular fitness, reduced inflammation, and other biological mechanisms.”
For older adults looking to safely improve walking speed, Verghese recommended starting slow.
“The practical message is that maintaining mobility is an important part of healthy aging,” he said. “While our study cannot show that simply walking faster prevents cognitive decline, people can safely improve their walking speed through training, ideally building up gradually and seeking medical guidance if they have significant health concerns.”
