Reaction-time training matters as you age

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Reaction time, the speed at which your brain recognizes a hazard and your body responds, slows with age, beginning as early as your 20s and accelerating after 60. Evidence suggests training may help: in the NIH-funded ACTIVE trial, more than 2,800 older adults were followed for 20 years, and speed-of-processing training was linked to a 25% lower risk of developing dementia. Adding reaction-based exercises such as clock taps, wall bounces, and lateral shuffling may support balance, safer movement, and fall prevention.

Source

Coe, N. B., Miller, K. E. M., Sun, C., Taggert, E., Gross, A. L., Jones, R. N., Felix, C., Albert, M. S., Rebok, G. W., Marsiske, M., Ball, K. K., & Willis, S. L. (2026). Impact of cognitive training on claims-based diagnosed dementia over 20 years: evidence from the ACTIVE study. Alzheimer's & dementia (New York, N. Y.), 12(1), e70197. https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.70197

Additional Reading

https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/31/health/train-faster-reaction-prevent-falls-wellness

https://www.aol.com/articles/essential-reaction-time-drills-help-204826000.html

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/how-power-training-helps-as-you-age