long-term relationships still have physiological effects into old age, according to a new study from the university of illinois’ college of agricultural, consumer & environmental sciences that looked at the heart rates of romantic partners. though the study had a small sample size, it revealed significant insights into the lives of people who had been partnered for a long period of time.
the findings, published in the
journal of social and personal relationships
, examined ten couples. they were all straight, married, between the ages of 64 and 88, and had been together for at least 14 years. (some had been together for 65.) over a two-week period, they wore fitbits and tracking devices, and researchers examined the couples’ heart rates and their physical proximity to one another when they were home. they also surveyed them daily about their health and the dynamics of their relationships.
looking at each individual person’s heart rate when the couples were together, and then the two heart rates together, researchers found that when the couples were physically close to one another, their heart rates would synchronize in intricate, complicated ways. there was a “lead-lag” relation, they found: one heart rate would typically lead, and when the other caught up, that would lead while the first followed.
“this suggests a delicate balance,” the study’s lead author brian ogolsky
told the university’s news outlet
. “when one partner triggers the other partner, they start a unique couple-level dance that affects their physiology and their patterns throughout the day.”