New Study Shows Doing This During Your Walk Can Boost Strength & Stamina
Key takeaways
- Author: Ava Durgin May 02, 2026Assistant Health Editor By Ava Durgin Assistant Health Editor Ava Durgin is the former Assistant Health Editor at mindbodygreen.
- A new study1 suggests that simply picking up your walking pace (by as little as 14 steps per minute) can significantly improve physical function, especially in older adults who are frail or at risk of becoming so.
- Researchers worked with about 100 older adults living in retirement communities.
Why this matters: practical guidance grounded in recent research or expert insight.
Author: Ava Durgin May 02, 2026Assistant Health Editor By Ava Durgin Assistant Health Editor Ava Durgin is the former Assistant Health Editor at mindbodygreen. She holds a B.A. in Global Health and Psychology from Duke University.Image by Jacob Lund / i Stock May 02, 2026If you’re already walking regularly, you’re doing your future self a huge favor. But what if a small tweak, just a few more steps per minute, could help you stay stronger, more mobile, and independent as you age?
A new study1 suggests that simply picking up your walking pace (by as little as 14 steps per minute) can significantly improve physical function, especially in older adults who are frail or at risk of becoming so. While this may seem like a small tweak, it's a habit that potentially has a big payoff.
Researchers worked with about 100 older adults living in retirement communities. Participants were categorized as either “frail” or “prefrail,” meaning they were already experiencing some decline in energy, strength, or activity.