Recent research shows that the way animals move in the middle of their lives reveals something about their lifespan. Scientists specifically monitored a group of killifish, a short-lived fish species, and observed that ageing does not happen gradually, but in distinct phases or bursts. The fish's movements in the first half of their lives exhibited patterns that predicted how quickly they would age.
This discovery helps to better understand how ageing works. The so-called “syllables” of movement are short, recognisable movement elements that together form the movement pattern. By analysing these patterns, researchers can make predictions about the ageing process. This is novel because getting older is often seen as a slow and steady process.
Research with killifish is important because these fish have a short lifespan, making the entire life cycle easy to study. Observations in animals can also provide insight into human ageing. Movement and physical activity appear to play a central role in healthy ageing.
For people, this means that paying attention to and analysing movements, including in midlife, may help to recognise the early signs of ageing sooner. This can lead to better advice for an active and vital life as we grow older. Movement patterns can thus become a valuable tool in promoting longevity.
Source: Neuroscience News
