CATEGORY: MOBILITY, BONES & JOINTS
Older adults who walked more slowly were more likely to break a bone over the next few years than those who walked faster, a large study of Australians aged 70 and older found. Because the study measured people and then tracked what happened without changing anything, it shows an association, not proof that slow walking causes fractures.1
How the Study Worked
The findings come from ASPREE, a large study of 16,357 community-living adults aged 70 and older, together with its fracture substudy. At the start, researchers measured each person’s walking (gait) speed over a short timed walk, hand-grip strength with a squeeze device, and symptoms of low mood using a brief questionnaire. They then tracked bone fractures over a median of about 4.7 years — half the group was followed longer — recording breaks as they were reported and confirmed. This let the team see whether these simple measures of physical function lined up with later fracture risk.
What the Numbers Showed
Adults with slower gait speed had about a 17% higher risk of fracture than those who walked faster. Weak grip strength on its own was not clearly linked to fractures. When slow walking was combined with symptoms of low mood, the risk was higher still — about 46% greater than in people with neither — suggesting that physical and emotional health may add together.1
Why Walking Speed May Matter
Walking speed is a quick, whole-body snapshot of strength, balance and coordination, so a slower pace can reflect the same frailty that makes falls — and the fractures they cause — more likely. Slower walkers may also have weaker bones or be less steady on their feet. The study can’t untangle which of these matters most, and gait speed is a marker of overall health rather than a direct measure of bone strength.
What This Does and Doesn’t Mean
Because this was an observational analysis — watching what happened rather than testing a treatment — it can’t show that speeding up your walk would prevent fractures. What it offers is a reminder that simple measures like how fast you walk may help flag who is more vulnerable to breaks, information a doctor can weigh alongside bone-density testing and fall-risk checks.
Key Takeaways
- Among adults aged 70 and older, slower walking speed was linked to about a 17% higher fracture risk over roughly 5 years; the risk was higher when slow walking came with low mood.
- Walking speed reflects overall strength, balance and steadiness, which may explain the link to fractures — but this study shows association, not cause and effect.
- Grip strength on its own was not clearly tied to fracture risk in this study.
- If you’ve noticed you’re moving more slowly or feel less steady, your healthcare provider can review your fall risk and bone health and discuss whether any testing makes sense.
References
- Raru TB, Pasco JA, Lotfaliany M, et al. Associations of gait speed, grip strength, depressive symptoms, and their combinations with fracture risk in older adults. GeroScience. 2026 May 2. doi:10.1007/s11357-026-02271-2. link