Abstract
BackgroundThe 400‑m walk test (400MWT) of usual gait speed is an assessment of mobility limitations in geriatric medicine and sarcopenic research.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe the course of gait speed during a 400MWT in community-dwelling older adults in terms of physical, psychological and general health-related outcomes. Possible plateau phases during the 400MWT could enable integrated measurements of short distance walk tests.MethodsIn this study 148 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 80.4 ± 4.4 years, 61% women) performed a 400MWT at comfortable gait speed. Additionally, an 8m walk test was carried out and history of falling, sex, comorbidities, fear of falling, executive function and gait variability were determined as covariates.ResultsGait speed was higher in the beginning and the end of the 400MWT compared to the middle part with respect to all analyzed covariates. Mean gait speed of the 8 m walk test was significantly faster than mean gait speed of the 400MWT (t (df = 147) = 0.07, p = 0.001).ConclusionThe course of gait speed during a 400MWT performed by community-dwelling older adults was not affected by sex, gait variability, comorbidity, history of falling, fear of falling or executive function. Gait speed measurements of the 400MWT do not fully represent assessment of supervised short distance gait speed in community-dwelling adults.
Highlights
Long-distance walk tests, when performed as fast as possible, are widely used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness
Compared to other functional outcome measures such as the short physical performance battery (SPPB), it is less prone to ceiling effects in high-functioning older adults [4] and mean usual gait speed can be calculated from completion time
The course of gait speed during a 400-m walk test (400MWT) performed by communitydwelling older adults was not affected by sex, gait variability, comorbidity, history of falling, fear of falling or executive function
Summary
Long-distance walk tests, when performed as fast as possible, are widely used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness. The 400-m walk test (400MWT) with the instruction to walk with usual pace is often incorporated into epidemiological studies to measure mobility limitations [1,2,3]. The course of gait speed during even longer distances has not been investigated so far It is questionable whether 400MWT generally show plateau phases (e.g. start, middle, end) that would allow integration of a shortdistance walk test. The aim of this study was to describe the course of gait speed during a 400MWT in community-dwelling older adults in terms of physical, psychological and general health-related outcomes. Possible plateau phases during the 400MWT could enable integrated measurements of short distance walk tests. An 8m walk test was carried out and history of falling, sex, comorbidities, fear of falling, executive function and gait variability were determined as covariates
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
