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 .
Anticholinergic Drugs and Physical Function Among Frail Elderly Population
Increasing evidence from experimental studies and human observations suggests that drugs with anticholinergic properties can cause physical and mental impairment . The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the use of drugs with anticholinergic activity and measures of physical performance , muscle strength , and functional status in persons aged 80 years or older . Data are from baseline evaluation of 364 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study . The ilSIRENTE study is a prospect i ve cohort study performed in the mountain community living in the Sirente geographic area ( L'Aquila , Abruzzo ) in Central Italy .  Physical performance was assessed using the physical performance battery score ( Short Physical Performance Battery ) , which is based on three timed tests : 4‐meter walking speed , balance , and chair st and tests . Muscle strength was measured by h and grip strength . We defined as anticholinergic drugs all medications for which serum anticholinergic activity was previously demonstrated . Analyses of covariance were performed to evaluate the relationship of anticholinergic drugs with physical function . In the unadjusted model , all the physical performance , muscle strength , and functional measures showed significant associations with the anticholinergic drug use . After adjustment for potential confounders ( age , gender , smoking , physical activity level , cognitive performance score , living alone , body mass index , congestive heart failure , lung diseases , diabetes ) , these associations were weaker but still statistically significant ( physical performance battery score : non‐users anticholinergic drugs 6.9 , SE 0.1 , users anticholinergic drugs 6.1 , SE 0.2 , P=0.05 ; h and grip strength : non‐users anticholinergic drugs 31.3 kg , SE 0.8 , users anticholinergic drugs 28.8 kg , SE 1.0 , P=0.05 ; Activities of Daily Living scale score : non‐users anticholinergic drugs 1.2 , SE 0.1 , users anticholinergic drugs 1.6 , SE 0.1 , P=0.03 ; Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale score : non‐users anticholinergic drugs 2.7 , SE 0.1 , users anticholinergic drugs 3.4 , SE 0.1 , P<0.001 ) . The use of medication with anticholinergic properties is common among community older subjects in Italy . Our results suggest that among old‐old subjects the use of anticholinergic drugs is associated with impaired physical performance and functional status
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 .