Self-selected walking speed is predictive of daily ambulatory activity in older adults

Addie Middleton, George D. Fulk, Michael W. Beets, Troy M. Herter, Stacy L. Fritz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Daily ambulatory activity is associated with health and functional status in older adults; however, assessment requires multiple days of activity monitoring. The objective of this study was to determine the relative capabilities of self-selected walking speed (SSWS), maximal walking speed (MWS), and walking speed reserve (WSR) to provide insight into daily ambulatory activity (steps per day) in community-dwelling older adults. Sixty-seven older adults completed testing and activity monitoring (age 80.39 [6.73] years). SSWS (R2 = .51), MWS (R2 = .35), and WSR calculated as a ratio (R2 = .06) were significant predictors of daily ambulatory activity in unadjusted linear regression. Cutpoints for participants achieving < 8,000 steps/day were identified for SSWS (≤ 0.97 m/s, 44.2% sensitivity, 95.7% specificity, 10.28 +LR, 0.58 -LR) and MWS (≤ 1.39 m/s, 60.5% sensitivity, 78.3% specificity, 2.79 +LR, 0.50 -LR). SSWS may be a feasible proxy for assessing and monitoring daily ambulatory activity in older adults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)214-222
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of aging and physical activity
Volume24
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Assessment
  • Elderly
  • Gait
  • Mobility
  • Steps per day

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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