The secret to living longer could be as simple as picking up your walking pace, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Sydney found that walking at a brisk pace was associated with a risk reduction of 24 per cent for any cause of death.

一项新研究表明：活得长久的秘诀可能十分简单--加快走路速度。悉尼大学的研究人员发现：走路快的人或降低24%的死亡率。

This effect was even more pronounced in older age groups, with fast walkers over the age of 60 reducing their risk of death by a staggering 53 per cent. Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, who led the study, explained: "A fast pace is generally five to six kilometres per hour, but it really depends on a walker's fitness levels; an alternative indicator¹ is to walk at a pace that makes you slightly out of breath or sweaty when sustained."

这种影响在老年群体中更为显著，60岁以上走路快的人降低的死亡率令人震惊：53%。爱莫尔·斯塔马特克斯（Emmanuel Stamatakis）教授是本研究的首席研究员，他解释道："一般而言，走路快指的是每小时走5至6公里，但这还得取决于走路者的健康水平；另一个指标就是持续走路时，走路的速度会让你稍微有点喘不过气，或出汗。"

In the study, the researchers looked at the results of 11 surveys from 1994 to 2008, in which participants recorded their walking pace, as well as age, sex and BMI. The analysis revealed that walking at an average pace was associated with a 20 per cent risk reduction for all-cause mortality compared with walking at a slow pace, while walking at a brisk or fast pace was associated with a risk reduction of 24 per cent.

研究中，研究员研究了从1994年至2008年间的11项研究的结果，这些研究记录了受试者的走路速度、年龄、性别和身体质量指数。分析揭示：与走路较慢者相比，走路速度为平均水平的人降低了20%的死亡率，而走路较快者降低了24%的死亡率。

Professor Stamatakis said: "Walking pace is associated with all-cause mortality risk, but its specific role - independent from the total physical activity a person undertakes - has received little attention until now. There was no evidence to suggest pace had a significant influence on cancer mortality however."

斯塔马特克斯教授说道："走路速度与死亡率风险相关，但其具体作用--独立于人们所从事的全部身体活动--至今为止尚未受到重视。但是，尚未有证据表明，走路速度对癌症死亡率有显著影响。"

The researchers hope the findings will encourage the development of public health messages about the benefits of walking pace. Professor Stamatakis added: "These analyses suggest that increasing walking pace may be a straightforward² way for people to improve heart health and risk for premature³ mortality - providing a simple message for public health campaigns to promote.

研究员希望研究结果能推动关于步行速度益处的公共卫生信息的发展。斯塔马特克斯教授补充道："这些分析表明，加快走路速度可能是人们改善心脏健康、降低早死风险的直接方式--提供了又一个公共卫生活动可以为之倡导的简单信息。"

"Especially in situations when walking more isn't possible due to time pressures or a less walking-friendly environment, walking faster may be a good option to get the heart rate up - one that most people can easily incorporate into their lives."

"尤其在因为时间压力或不适合步行的环境而无法多走路的情况下，快点走可能是加快心率跳动的好方法--大多数人都可以在生活中做到这一点。"