Of all human activities，few are so readily credited with enhancing the power of the mind as going for a good walk。

在人类的所有活动中，很少有什么活动能像散步一样被认定为可以增强思维能力。

However，those who assume that strolling along at a gentle pace is the hallmark of superior intellect should think again，scientists have said。

然而，科学家们说，认为缓步行走是智力超群标志的人们应该三思。

In fact，based on a new series of experiments，they now believe the slower a person‘s tendency to walk，the less able their brain。

事实上，根据一系列新的实验，科学家们现在认为一个人走路的速度越慢，大脑就越迟钝。

Researchers performed gait speed analysis on hundreds of middleaged people，comparing the results with a range of physical and psychological measures。

研究人员对数百名中年人进行了步速分析，并将结果与一系列生理和心理标准相比较。

Doctors have long used walking speed to gain a quick and reliable insight into older people’ s cognitive capability， as it is increasingly recognized that gait is associated with not only musculoskeletal mechanisms but also the central nervous system。

长期以来，医生们一直利用步速对老年人的认知能力进行快速可靠的了解，因为人们越来越认识到，步态不仅与肌肉骨骼机制有关，还与中枢神经系统有关。

Until now，however，no one knew it could signify underlying brain health so much earlier in life。

然而，直到现在，没有人知道步速可能在生命的早期就预示大脑的潜在健康状况。

The correlation was so stark，however，that the US scientists now say walking tests could be used to provide an early indication of dementia。

美国科学家现在认为，这种关联非常明显，步行测试可以提供有关痴呆症的早期迹象。

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association，the study revealed an average difference of 16 IQ points between the slowest and the fastest walkers at the age of 45。

发表在《美国医学会杂志》上的这项研究表明，45岁时，走路最慢和最快的人之间平均相差16个智商值。