Senior citizens will walk farther and faster if they think they are in good health, according to a study conducted recently by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh.

The study, published in the December issue of the journal of the American Physical Therapy Association, followed 2,269 adults with a median age of 79.2 years.

Participants who thought their overall health and balance was good walked about 10 more blocks each week than those who thought both their health and balance were poor.

Participants who said they walked at a normal speed walked about 12 more blocks each week than the senior citizens who said they walked slowly.

"We were surprised to learn that health and balance perception were significantly related to walking activity -- more so than fall history or balance performance," said Jaime Talkowski, the lead researcher for the study.