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 .
Reproducibility of performance-based and self-reported measures of functional status.
BACKGROUND The reproducibility of a performance-based and a self-reported measure of functional status was investigated , as well as the impact of age and cognitive function on the reproducibility . METHODS Of a r and om sample of 114 men of the 1995 survey of the Zutphen Elderly Study , 105 men ( aged 79.9 + /- 4.5 years ) participated in a test-retest study . They filled out a question naire on disabilities and carried out performance tests twice , in a 2-week interval . Four performance tests were administered ( st and ing balance , walking speed , chair st and , and external shoulder rotation ) , and a summary performance score was constructed . The number of self-reported disabilities in basic activities of daily living , mobility , and instrumental activities of daily living were assessed . Kappa statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients between test and retest measurements were computed for the total group and stratified by age and cognitive function . RESULTS Three performance tests and the summary performance score had fair to good reproducibility ( walking speed : Pearsons r = .90 , chair st and : r = .82 , shoulder rotation : kappa = .49 , summary score : kappa = .52 ) . Only the test for st and ing balance was poorly reproducible ( kappa = .29 ) . The self-reported functional status was fairly to good reproducible ( kappa = .63 , r = .87 ) . Self-reported functional status was significantly less reproducible in very old and cognitively impaired than in younger and nonimpaired individuals . CONCLUSIONS In the elderly male subjects , performance tests and self-reported disabilities had moderate to good reproducibility , with the exception of the test for st and ing balance . In very old or cognitively impaired population s , self-reported functional status may have a lower reproducibility
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 .