This app is designed to support your health management and is not a medical device. It does not provide medical diagnoses, treatments, or medical advice. Please consult your doctor for any health concerns.
Q: I understand that a decline or worsening of muscle strength, cardiorespiratory function, nervous system function, and blood circulation usually leads to a slower usual walking speed. However, isn’t it true that an increased usual walking speed doesn’t necessarily mean that muscle strength, cardiorespiratory function, nervous system function, and blood circulation have improved?
A: It is certainly possible for the usual walking speed to increase even without an improvement in those physiological factors. Specifically, non-physiological factors such as reduced depression, increased motivation for activity, learning a correct walking pattern, changing footwear, or reduced joint pain can all lead to a faster usual walking speed.
That said, even in those cases, if the improvement in those non-physiological factors is maintained over a long period, and the faster usual walking speed continues to be a long-term situation (or habit), it will likely have a positive impact on the physiological factors. Therefore, it is highly probable that, as a result, an improvement in the physiological factors can be expected.
Q: I understand that when muscle strength, heart and lung function, brain and nerve activity, or blood circulation decline, my usual walking speed slows down. But if I just walk faster, doesn’t that automatically make my “usual walking speed” faster too? Wouldn’t that mean it’s not really showing any improvement in those functions?
A: Your usual walking speed is the pace you walk at naturally, without thinking about it. Simply trying to walk faster doesn’t actually change your usual walking speed.
The key question is whether the app can still detect your true usual walking speed even when you sometimes try to walk faster. Since no one can stay consciously focused on fast walking 24 hours a day for three months, the app ends up capturing the pace you walk at most often—the speed that comes naturally to you.
For some people, that natural speed becomes clear after about two weeks; for others, it may take closer to a month. It rarely takes more than three months.Walking faster for a short time won’t directly improve your body functions. But if your usual walking speed—the pace you walk at without thinking—gets faster over time, that’s a strong sign your overall physical functions are improving.
Q: Why is walking speed such a useful health indicator?
A: People often say, “we age through our blood vessels” and “we age from our legs.” That’s because circulation, strength, and endurance are at the core of staying young and healthy. As heart and lung function decline, energy and quality of life go down. At the same time, fat around the organs speeds up aging by causing inflammation and reducing organ function.
When these factors worsen, aging accelerates. But if they improve—even a little—you may be able to maintain your functional age and feel younger. Walking speed brings all these elements together into one easy-to-track number.
Q: What affects my usual walking speed the most?
A: Mainly leg strength, heart and lung function, blood circulation, and neuromuscular control. Joint issues can also play a role, especially later in life. Because these factors are the same ones that affect aging, your walking speed reflects your overall health.
Q: Doesn’t walking speed depend on personality—for example, whether someone is laid-back or always in a hurry?
A: It’s true that personality and lifestyle can influence how fast you walk.
But for the same person, walking speed over the long term mainly reflects changes in their body and health.
Q: If I try to walk faster, won’t my usual walking speed also go up?
A: Not really. Your “usual walking speed” isn’t just an average of all the speeds you walk at. Even if you sometimes walk quickly, it won’t necessarily make your usual speed faster.
It’s impossible to keep up a consciously fast pace 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Most of the time, you naturally settle into the pace that feels most comfortable without thinking about it.
That said, in rare cases—if you spend a very long time walking briskly and certain conditions are met—the app may detect two possible “usual walking speeds.”
Q: How accurate is the app?
A: Our app combines the natural rhythm of human walking with advanced cellphone sensor technology. This allows it to detect even small changes in walking speed—about 3–5%—which is what really matters for long-term health tracking.
Q: How do I use the Android version of “Usual Speed Diagnostics”?
A: The app automatically tracks your usual walking speed 24 hours —just carry your phone with you. However, if you never open the app, your phone’s operating system may shut it down. To keep it running smoothly, please open the app at least once a day to check your data.
Q: How do I use the iPhone version of “Walking Speed Diagnostics”?
A: When you open the app, it automatically calculates your usual walking speed for the past five days. On iPhone, you can fully automate this process using the built-in Shortcuts app. Just look up how to use Shortcuts and set it to launch automatically at a time you know you’ll be using your phone.
Q: What happens if I don’t carry my phone?
A: If your phone isn’t with you, no data can be collected—your speed will simply show as “0 steps” and “0 km/h.” But don’t worry. Walking speed tends to stabilize after about a month of tracking. Even carrying your cellphone just half the days in a week should be enough for reliable results.
Q: Why is the app’s measurement accuracy so high?
A: The app combines the natural rhythm of walking with advanced smartphone sensor technology to measure your walking speed very precisely. Of course, no measurement is perfect, but since walking speed usually changes only gradually, what really matters is detecting small changes of around 3–5%. This app is designed to meet that standard.
Q: Has it been proven that the app can detect a 3–5% change in walking speed?
A: Yes. This was confirmed in a study of 505 participants:
“Characteristics of cadence during continuous walking in daily life” – Cell Press
Read the study here
Q: How long should I keep using the app?
A: Improvements in strength, circulation, and heart-lung function usually take several months or longer. Since walking speed reflects all of these, we recommend using the app for at least that long—or ideally, making it part of your long-term routine. It’s fine if you miss some days, but jot down your data if you take a break.
Q: What are the average walking speeds by age?
A: It varies by study, but according to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare:
- Ages 65–69: about 5.0 ± 0.8 km/h
- Ages 70–74: about 4.8 ± 0.8 km/h
- Ages 75–79: about 4.4 ± 0.8 km/h
- Age 80+: about 4.1 ± 0.8 km/h
Another well-known study (Bohannon, 1997) reported that women in their 70s walked comfortably at about 1.27 m/s (5.3 km/h), while men in their 40s averaged 1.46 m/s (5.3 km/h).
Q: Is there really a strong link between walking speed and stroke or other diseases?
A: Yes. A meta-analysis of 17 studies found that people who walked slower had a 1.89 times higher risk of cognitive decline and a 1.66 times higher risk of dementia compared to faster walkers. These results were consistent across studies from the U.S., Italy, Sweden, China, Japan, and Israel—showing that walking speed is a universal predictor of health.
There are also many other studies linking walking speed to dementia, heart disease, and healthy life expectancy. You can find a list of them on our [Research Page].
Q: Isn’t walking speed only important for older adults? What about younger people?
A: Walking speed matters at any age. Research shows that your walking speed in your mid-40s can predict your future health and life expectancy, and studies also link walking speed in your 50s to “successful aging.” So, t’s never too early to start paying attention.