Four-meter Gait Speed: Normative Values and Reliability Determined for Adults Participating in the NIH Toolbox Study

Publication date: Available online 6 August 2018

Source: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Author(s): Richard W. Bohannon, Ying-Chih Wang

ABSTRACT

Objectives

To establish reference values and determine test-retest reliability for usual and maximal 4 meter gait speed.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

Offices in 10 geographically dispersed cities in the United States.

Participants

Men and women enrolled in the National Institutes of Health ToolBox norming study.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Specifically used were data from 18 to 85 year old men and women who were timed over 4 meters (after a static start) while walking at their usual and maximum speeds. Norms for usual and maximum gait speed were derived using data from 1320 participants. Test-retest reliability for 164 participants was described using paired t-tests, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and minimal detectable changes (MDCs).

Results

Mean usual speed was 1.12 m/s, whereas mean maximum speed was 1.61 m/s. As a general linear model showed 4 meter gait speed to differ significantly according to gait condition (speed), gender, and age group; estimates of normal were calculated accordingly. The usual speed of 80 to 85 year old women was lowest at 0.95m/s; the maximum speed of 18 to 29 year old men was highest at 1.85 m/s. Test-retest measures did not differ significantly, but the ICCs were only fair and the MDCs were high.

Conclusions

Normative reference values provided herein may be helpful in interpreting measurements of 4 meter gait speed obtained from adult men and women. The limited reliability of the gait speed measurements, however, limits their usefulness in making judgments regarding change.

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