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Reaction-time training can help prevent falls as you get older
CNN • • science
Key Points:
- Reaction time, the interval between perceiving a stimulus and responding, declines with age starting in the 20s and accelerates after 60, impacting physical safety and cognitive health.
- Slow reaction time contributes significantly to falls, the leading cause of injury-related death in adults 65+, and can lead to self-imposed activity restrictions that worsen physical decline.
- Research, including the NIH-funded ACTIVE trial, shows that speed of processing training can reduce dementia risk by 25%, highlighting the cognitive benefits of reaction-time training.
- Reaction-time training is accessible without specialized equipment through simple drills like clock taps, wall bounce, ball drops, and lateral shuffling, which improve reflexes, balance, and brain function.
- Consistent practice of these unpredictable, reactive exercises two to three times weekly can lead to noticeable improvements in daily movement confidence and cognitive sharpness.
