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 .
Change in physical performance over time in older women: the Women's Health and Aging Study.
BACKGROUND Although lower and upper extremity performance measures are widely used and represent vali date d physical function measures in older adults , there is limited information regarding the magnitude of changes in these measures over time . This study ( i ) assesses prospect i ve changes in physical performance measures , ( ii ) defines a summary score that demonstrates a significant amount of change over time , and ( iii ) examines rates of decline according to age and baseline performance levels . METHODS Data from the Women 's Health and Aging Study ( WHAS ) were analyzed to assess change in the one third most disabled older women living in the community .  Lower extremity function was assessed using walking speed , balance , and chair st and s tests . The putting-on-blouse test , the lock and key test , the Purdue Pegboard test , and grip strength were used to gauge upper extremity function . Continuous and categorical summary performance scores were calculated using continuous and categorical data of lower and upper performance measures . RESULTS After 3 years , lower extremity performance measures declined by 16%-27 % , while upper extremity performance measures declined less ( 7%-24 % ) . For lower extremity function , the continuous summary performance score showed a slightly greater 3-year decline from baseline ( decline vs baseline mean : 23 % ; decline vs SD of the baseline mean : 59 % ) than the categorical score ( 22 % and 41 % , respectively ) . Older age and intermediate level of baseline performance were associated with the greatest decline , especially for lower extremity function . CONCLUSIONS In moderately to severely disabled women aged 65 or older , lower extremity measures show more change over 3 years than upper extremity measures . Among the lower extremity summary scores , the continuous score changes more over time than the categorical score with respect to the baseline SD . The lower extremity continuous summary performance score may be a useful outcome measure for clinical studies of physical performance in older women
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 .