Walking Speed

There is significant evidence to suggest that people with decreased walking tolerance, strength, and balance are actually dying sooner.  There is also significant evidence that sitting time, alone, increases risk of death.  Walking speed is a powerful indicator of functional status for patients with varying diagnoses; however, it is not routinely assessed by the medical community.

The functional requirements for community-living, aging adults are identified as follows:

·         1203 feet (366.7 meters) to complete an errand in the community

·         Gait speed of 1.2 m/s or 2.68 mph to cross a street safely

·         Need to carry an average of 6.7  lb. package

How do we measure walking speed?

We can time how long it takes a person to travel a 20-meter distance, by using only the middle 10-meters of this area, to allow for acceleration and deceleration.

 

What does the research have to say?

A significant increase in mortality existed among subjects with increased time to perform the 400 meter walk test.  (948 men and women; this was further adjusted for depression, education, smoking, BMI, sedentary, chronic disease.)^2,3  For each additional minute of longer performance time, risk of death increased 35%.⁴

Walking speed, walking less than 400 meters, and decreased lower extremity strength are strong predictors for nursing home placement.  Loss of leg strength is the strongest single predictor for subsequent institutionalization, stronger than disease diagnosis. ^5,6

A change in gait speed by .10 m/s (.22 mph) has been shown to be a meaningful change in community dwelling older adults, hospitalized male veterans, and patients with a hip fracture. A 2011 study in the Journal of American Medical Association found that a change of .10 m/s (.33 mph) increased survival over a 10 year period.⁷

How can we help?

The staff at Rock Valley Physical Therapy can help to identify a decline in function, using this measure along with other special testing.  We will then work with you to establish a program that is consistent with your pace of life & desired activity level, restoring your mobility and independence.

References:

Shumway-Cook A, et al.  Environmental demands associated with community mobility in older adults with and without disabilities.  Phys Ther.  2002;82:670-681.

Chang M, et al.  Incidence of loss of ability to walk 400 meters in a functionally limited older population.  J Am Geriatr Soc.  2004;52:2094-8.

Vestergaard S, et al.  Characteristis of 400-meter walk test performance and subsequent mortality in older adults.  Rejunenation  Res.  2009;12:177-84.

Newman AB, et al.  Association of long-distance corridor walking performance with mortality, cardiovascular disease, mobility limitation, and disability.  JAMA.  2006;295:2018-2026.

Guralnik JM, et al.  Validation and use of performance measures of functioning in a non-disabled older population: MacArthur studies of successful aging.  Aging.  1994;6:410-419.

Judge JO, et al.  Step length reductions in advanced age: the role of ankle and hip kinetics.  J Geritol A Biol Sci Med Sci.  1996;51:M303-M312.

Studenski S, Perera S, Patel K, et al.  Gait speed and survival in older adults.  JAMA.  2011;305(1):50-58.

Fritz S, Lusardi M.  White paper: “Walking speed: the sixth vital sign.”  J Geriatr Phys Ther.  2009;32(2):2-5.

 

Welcome Alicia!

We would like to welcome Alicia Kuhns to the Rock Valley family.  She will be assisting Cheryl at the front desk, by serving as our front line on Fridays. 

Alcia is from Decatur, IL and currently resides in West Peoria.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as coaching middle school volleyball.