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 .
Measuring physical function in community-dwelling older persons: a comparison of self-administered, interviewer-administered, and performance-based measures.
PURPOSE To compare two self-administered , one interviewer-administered , and one performance-based measure of physical function in community-based older persons . METHODS Eighty-three subjects were recruited from meal sites , senior recreation centers , and senior housing units for a comprehensive geriatric assessment program . At the time of screening , study participants self-administered the Functional Status Question naire ( FSQ ) and were administered the Katz Activities of Daily Living ( ADL ) and the Older Americans Re sources and Services Instrumental Activities of Daily Living ( OARS-IADL ) instruments by interview . Participants also completed the Physical Performance Test ( PPT ) and were given the  Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 to self-administer on site or at home and return by mail . RESULTS All 83 subjects completed FSQ , Katz ADL , OARS-IADL , and PPT ; 72 returned SF-36 forms . Correlations between the two self-administered physical function measures ( FSQ and SF-36 ) were higher than between self-administered and interviewer-assessed ( ADL and OARS-IADL ) or performance-based ( PPT ) measures . When assessed for construct validity , the self-administered , OARS , and PPT measures had comparable correlations with role limitations as a result of physical health problems , but relationships between physical functional status measures and other SF-36 measures of health were inconsistent . CONCLUSION The relationships between commonly used self-administered , interviewer-administered , and performance-based measures of physical function were inconsistent and weak , suggesting that these instruments are not measuring the same construct
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 .