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| Quick reactions 'long life link' | Quick reactions 'long life link' |
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| People with quick reactions are likely to live longer than those less quick off the mark, a study suggests. | People with quick reactions are likely to live longer than those less quick off the mark, a study suggests. |
| The joint Edinburgh University and Medical Research Council team looked at the response rates of more than 7,400 people, the journal Intelligence said. | The joint Edinburgh University and Medical Research Council team looked at the response rates of more than 7,400 people, the journal Intelligence said. |
| Researchers found those with the slowest reactions were 2.6 times more likely to die prematurely. | Researchers found those with the slowest reactions were 2.6 times more likely to die prematurely. |
| They said quick reactions may be a sign of intelligence, which in turn was linked to healthier lifestyles. | They said quick reactions may be a sign of intelligence, which in turn was linked to healthier lifestyles. |
| Reaction times were taken using a computer programme during the 1980s along with range of other factors including alcohol intake, smoking habits, blood pressure and weight. The average age of those studied was 46. | Reaction times were taken using a computer programme during the 1980s along with range of other factors including alcohol intake, smoking habits, blood pressure and weight. The average age of those studied was 46. |
| People with greater intelligence tend to have been better educated and worked in jobs where resources and workplaces practices are better Dr Geoff Der, report co-author | People with greater intelligence tend to have been better educated and worked in jobs where resources and workplaces practices are better Dr Geoff Der, report co-author |
| The participants were then followed up 20 years later by which point nearly 1,300 had died. | The participants were then followed up 20 years later by which point nearly 1,300 had died. |
| Only smoking, which made an early death three times more likely, was reported to be a greater indicator. | Only smoking, which made an early death three times more likely, was reported to be a greater indicator. |
| Dr Geoff Der, one of the authors of the report, said: "Research has shown that there is a correlation between reaction times and intelligence. | Dr Geoff Der, one of the authors of the report, said: "Research has shown that there is a correlation between reaction times and intelligence. |
| "People with greater intelligence tend to have been better educated and worked in jobs where resources and workplaces practices are better. | "People with greater intelligence tend to have been better educated and worked in jobs where resources and workplaces practices are better. |
| "They also look after their health better in regards to smoking, exercise and eating." | "They also look after their health better in regards to smoking, exercise and eating." |
| Researchers also said the implications could go back to birth with quicker reactions being a marker for a healthy body. | Researchers also said the implications could go back to birth with quicker reactions being a marker for a healthy body. |
| Dr Der added: "There is tentative evidence which suggests the body is just better wired. | Dr Der added: "There is tentative evidence which suggests the body is just better wired. |
| "In all probability, it is probably a combination of all of these reasons." | "In all probability, it is probably a combination of all of these reasons." |
| Evidence | |
| Professor Chris Drinkwater, a public health expert from the University of Northumbria, said: "There is robust evidence to suggest educational achievement is linked to health outcomes. | Professor Chris Drinkwater, a public health expert from the University of Northumbria, said: "There is robust evidence to suggest educational achievement is linked to health outcomes. |
| "It seems to be to do with health literacy in that people are more likely to be aware of what constitutes a risk to health and willing to act on it. | "It seems to be to do with health literacy in that people are more likely to be aware of what constitutes a risk to health and willing to act on it. |
| "By that we mean both what is good for you, such as healthy eating, and also the early signs of health problems." | "By that we mean both what is good for you, such as healthy eating, and also the early signs of health problems." |
| But experts were less sure of the link between reaction times and intelligence. | |
| Ash Ranpura, a neuroscientist at University College London, said: "There is evidence of a moderate correlation between how long it takes you to process information and intelligence. So these are very interesting findings." |