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 relation between previous fractures and physical performance in elderly women.
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between previous fracture and different aspects of physical performance . DESIGN Population -based retrospective study . SETTING Orthopaedic research department . PARTICIPANTS R and omly selected women ( N = 1044 ) , all 75 years old and participants of the Malmö Osteoporosis Prospect i ve Risk Assessment study . INTERVENTIONS Not applicable . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Type of and time since any previous fracture event were compared with results of tests on  physical performance function ( Romberg test , computerized sway test , gait speed , question naire )  at the age of 75 . RESULTS Women with no previous fractures ( n = 505 ) had a better median Romberg balance of 94 seconds ( interquartile range [ IQR ] , 75 - 118s ) than women with 1 , 2 , or 3 or more fractures , who had a median balance of 88 seconds ( IQR , 71 - 111s ) , 85 seconds ( IQR , 68 - 107s ) , and 81 seconds ( IQR , 65 - 109s ) , respectively ( Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance , P = .002 ) . Balance was inferior in women who had sustained a previous fracture between the ages of 65 and 75 years compared with women with no previous fractures or fractures before the age of 65 years . Gait speed and questions on tendency to fall followed the same pattern . The computerized sway test could not differ between women with and without previous fractures . CONCLUSIONS Poor physical performance is associated with previous fractures . Inferior physical performance may exist up to 10 years after a fracture
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 .