I was always fast. I was done with my studies faster than the minimum required time. I am writing my books pretty fast. And I am a fast walker. My co-walkers are quickly out of breath, but it seemed normal for me. I have always hated slow walking.

The older I get, the more consciously I try to keep my walking speed. The last thing I want to seem is being old. When going up the stairs, this manifests in a peculiar way. It’s my principle to take two stairs at once to prove myself that I am still a young gun. If one day I should not be able to do that anymore, then I am going to put my towel down to reserve my spot at the grave.

My fast walking got some surprising confirmation in a new study published by Duke University. Not only are fast walkers biologically younger, they also have a higher IQ. 904 subjects born between 1972 and 1973 were asked to take walking and intelligence tests. The results showed that the fastest 20% had – on average – a 16 point higher IQ than the slowest 20%. The slowest group also had biologically aged by 5 more years between the age of 26 and 45 than the fastest 20%. And they were less healthy, tended to have more pains and aches, and a thinner brain cortex.

It was known before that more physical activities can slow dementia. That’s why doctors encourage walking to prevent dementia. But that walking speed has such an effect on intelligence, even surprised the researchers.

It doesn’t mean that we should walk even more and faster. We should also read and learn. Otherwise marathon runners and triathletes would be the smartest people in the planet. And in my humble opinion, one has to be pretty dumb to run that much.

Anyhow, I will be observing my walking speed more consciously, and from now on take three stairs at the same time. No pain, no gained intelligence!

PS: Does anyone know how fast eating influences intelligence? I am often done with my meal, while others are still taking #foodporn pictures for their Instagram. I am keenly awaiting the next study, but I think I already know the results.

This article was also published in German.