Walking speed is a highly valid test , both at habitual and maximum speed .
Both habitual and maximum walking speeds are valid instruments , and they predict death , hospitalization/institutionalization , and decline in mobility
The number of available walking tests has increased dramatically over the past decades .
Therefore , it is highly important to help clinicians choose the most appropriate walking test for a specific setting .
This systematic review aim ed to critically evaluate the reliability , validity , and responsiveness of clinical walking speed in a broad population of elderly persons living in the community , sheltered housing , or institutions .
The Effects of Short-Term Exercise Intervention on Falls Self-Efficacy and the Relationship between Changes in Physical Function and Falls Self-Efficacy in Japanese Older People: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Arai T , Obuchi S , Inaba Y , Nagasawa H , Shiba Y , Watanabe S , Kimura K , Kojima M : The effects of short-term exercise intervention on falls self-efficacy and the relationship between changes in physical function and falls self-efficacy in Japanese older people : a r and omized controlled trial . Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2007;86:133–141 . Objective : To evaluate the effects of short-term exercise intervention on falls self-efficacy and to evaluate the relationships between baseline falls self-efficacy and changes in physical function in older people . Design : Single-blinded r and omized controlled trial . The participants were 171 subjects aged 65 and older . They were r and omly assigned into an exercise intervention group or a health education group . The subjects in the exercise intervention group performed an exercise program for 3 mos . Falls self-efficacy was measured using the falls efficacy scale ( FES ) . The measurements of physical function included static and dynamic balance , walking velocity , flexibility , and strength . Results : There was no significant improvement of FES in either group . But there were significant negative correlations between baseline FES score and the change in maximum walking velocity ( r = −0.29 , P < 0.018 ) and knee extensor strength ( r = −0.25 , P < 0.040 . Linear regression analysis showed that the change in static balance was related to baseline FES . Conclusions : The results suggest that a short-term exercise intervention had no effect , possibly because of the high baseline FES scores of the participants , on the confidence of community-dwelling older persons . However , the negative association between FES score and increases in some measures of function suggest that short-term exercise may be beneficial to a subset of older persons with lower FES scores
Walking speed is a highly valid test , both at habitual and maximum speed .
Both habitual and maximum walking speeds are valid instruments , and they predict death , hospitalization/institutionalization , and decline in mobility
The number of available walking tests has increased dramatically over the past decades .
Therefore , it is highly important to help clinicians choose the most appropriate walking test for a specific setting .
This systematic review aim ed to critically evaluate the reliability , validity , and responsiveness of clinical walking speed in a broad population of elderly persons living in the community , sheltered housing , or institutions .