LONGEVITY TESTING
Reaction Time - More Than Just Mental Quickness
In a study following adults aged 70–90, researchers found that slower and more inconsistent reaction time predicted a 50–60% increased risk of developing dementia within the following four years — a signal that showed up before other traditional cognitive symptoms did (Kochan et al., Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry).
It's also one of the more direct predictors of fall risk: a body that's strong and balanced still needs to react fast enough to catch a stumble before it becomes a fall
What Testing Looks Like
Real reaction-time assessment goes beyond a phone app tapping game. Clinical testing typically includes an upper-body reaction test (reacting to visual cues on a reactive wall system) and a lower-body version that measures how quickly you can shift your weight from one foot to another in response to a stimulus — closer to the real-world mechanics of catching yourself from a trip.
Why It's Worth a Baseline Now
Reaction time is one of those markers people assume they can't do much about, which not only isnt' true, but also establishing a baseline early gives you something concrete to train against and re-test, rather than only noticing a decline once it's already affecting daily life.
To learn more about reaction testing and to schedule an assessment, click below!