Researchers have discovered that an organism's movement pattern midway through life can provide clues about its remaining lifespan. They tracked the movements of the short-lived killifish, a small fish often used in ageing studies. This research shows that ageing does not happen gradually, but in short, sudden phases.
The researchers noted that the specific movements, or ‘movement compositions’, in the middle phase of life are strongly correlated with how long the fish ultimately live. This could mean that certain behavioural changes relatively early in life already reveal something about the ageing process.
These insights from the animal kingdom could also be relevant to humans. By looking at changes in our movement patterns, for example how active we are or how we move during the day, it might in future be possible to assess earlier how healthily someone will age.
Exercise not only keeps the body healthy, but also helps us better understand the ageing process. This offers hope for new methods to promote healthy ageing.
Source: Neuroscience News
