Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2020 Jan/Mar;43(1):42-52.
doi: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000224.

Assessment of Gait Speed in Older Adults

Hanife Mehmet  1 , Stephen R Robinson, Angela Wei Hong Yang
Affiliations
Review

Assessment of Gait Speed in Older Adults

Hanife Mehmet et al. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2020 Jan/Mar.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Gait speed is an important measure of functional ability and has been widely used in older adults as an indicator of frailty. However, the diversity in measurement protocols in clinical settings creates variability in outcome measures. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature relating to the measurement of gait speed in older adults, to propose a protocol suitable for use in clinical and community settings.

Methods: A total of 5 electronic English databases were searched (PubMed, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus) using key words and synonyms related to gait speed.

Results: Fifty relevant articles were identified, with variability being found between studies in the essential elements (timing device, walking distance, timing points, use of walking aids, pace of performance, and total tests recorded) of gait measurement. The majority of studies used unspecified timing devices while others used electronic gait mats or infrared beams linked to electronic stopwatches. Walking distance was assessed over distances between 2.4 and 15 m, with 4 m most commonly used. Most studies permitted the use of walking aids, with assessments being repeated at a usual pace, and the maximum value recorded in meters per second.

Conclusion: A standardized measurement protocol is proposed for measuring gait speed in older adults.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Chang M, Saczynski JS, Snaedal J, et al. Midlife physical activity preserves lower extremity function in older adults: age gene/environment susceptibility-Reykjavik study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2013;61(2):237–242.
    1. Bullain SS, Corrada MM, Shah BA, Mozaffar FH, Panzenboeck M, Kawas CH. Poor physical performance and dementia in the oldest old: the 90+ study. Arch Neurol. 2013;70(1):107–113.
    1. Woo J, Ho SC, Hu ALM. Walking speed and stride length predicts 36 months dependency, mortality, and institutionalization in Chinese aged 70 and older. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1999;47(10):1257–1260.
    1. Kuys SS, Peel NM, Klein K, Slater A, Hubbard RE. Gait speed in ambulant older people in long term care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014;15(3):194–200.
    1. Peel NM, Kuys SS, Klein K. Gait speed as a measure in geriatric assessment in clinical settings: a systematic review. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2013;68(1):39–46.

LinkOut - more resources