Neurologist Recommends Simple Habit to Enhance Brain Health

WHO:

[Business Insider] - Dr. Joe Verghese, a neurologist at Stony Brook University, is conducting research on brain health and aging.

WHAT:

[Business Insider] - Dr. Verghese's study published in the journal Neurology found that super movers are 50% less likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers.

[Business Insider] - Super movers are defined as individuals aged 80 and older who can walk at the speed of an average 50-year-old.

[Business Insider] - Super movers show lower rates of heart disease, depression symptoms, and hearing loss.

[Inc] - A long-term study from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine revealed a powerful link between walking and cognitive resilience.

WHERE:

[Business Insider] - Research conducted at Stony Brook University and referenced studies from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

WHEN:

[Business Insider] - The study published in the journal Neurology does not specify a date but indicates ongoing research on aging and brain health.

WHY:

[Business Insider] - Dr. Verghese aims to understand how bodies and minds deteriorate with age and what can be done to mitigate this decline.

[Business Insider] - The pursuit of becoming a super mover is motivated by the potential health benefits for both the brain and body.

HOW:

[Business Insider] - Dr. Verghese suggests maintaining a brisk walking pace of around 3 miles per hour for at least 30 minutes a day, in line with CDC recommendations of 150-300 minutes of moderate activity per week.

[Business Insider] - Evidence indicates that super movers were already walking quickly before reaching age 80, suggesting that early adoption of brisk walking can lead to becoming a super mover later in life.

(UPDATED July 12, 2026 01:23 UTC)

Dr. Joe Verghese, a neurologist at Stony Brook University, has published a study in the journal Neurology revealing that individuals aged 80 and older, known as super movers, are 50% less likely to develop cognitive impairment compared to their peers. These super movers, who can walk at the speed of an average 50-year-old, also exhibit lower rates of heart disease, depression symptoms, and hearing loss, highlighting the connection between brisk walking and cognitive resilience. Dr. Verghese recommends maintaining a brisk walking pace of around 3 miles per hour for at least 30 minutes a day, emphasizing that early adoption of this activity can lead to significant health benefits as one ages.