Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

4-2015

Program

Physical Therapy

Abstract

Walking speed (WS) is a valid, reliable, and sensitive measure appropriate for assessing and monitoring functional status and overall health in a wide range of populations. These capabilities have led to its designation as the “sixth vital sign”. By synthesizing the available evidence on WS, this scholarly review article provides clinicians with a reference tool regarding this robust measure. Recommendations on testing procedures for assessing WS, including optimal distance, inclusion of acceleration and deceleration phases, instructions, and instrumentation are given. After assessing an individual's WS, clinicians need to know what this value represents. Therefore, WS cut-off values and the corresponding predicted outcomes, as well as minimal detectable change values for specific populations and settings are provided.

Comments

Version posted is the HHS Public Access Author Manuscript.

Published in final edited form as: J Aging Phys Act. 2015 April ; 23(2): 314–322. doi:10.1123/japa.2013-0236.

DOI

10.1123/japa.2013-0236

PMID

24812254

Publication

Journal of Aging & Physical Activity

Volume

23

Issue

2

Publisher

Human Kinetics Journals

Pages

314-322

COinS