Bohannon Richard W
Department of Physical Therapy, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-2101, USA.
J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2008;31(2):49-52. doi: 10.1519/00139143-200831020-00002.
Although gait speed is an important measure to obtain from older adults, much is uncertain about the measure. Therefore, using a large population-based sample, I sought to: (1) gain an indication of "normal" gait speed, (2) compare speed measured over 8 and 20 feet, (3) determine the relationship of several independent variables with gait speed.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2002 provided the following data for individuals (> or = 50 years, n = 1923): gait speed over 8 and 20 feet, age, stature, adiposity, and isokinetic knee extension force. Estimates of normal gait speed were calculated for gender and age strata. Speeds over 8 and 20 feet were compared using a paired t-test and a Pearson correlation. The relationship between the independent variables and gait speed were examined using Pearson correlations and forward multiple regression analysis.
Mean gait speeds were 3.26 ft/sec and 3.29 ft/sec over 8 and 20 feet, respectively. Speeds over the distances differed significantly (p = .002) but not meaningfully; they were correlated strongly (r = .933, p < .001). Age, stature, knee extension force, and waist circumference correlated significantly (p < .004) with gait speed over both distances. Age, gender, knee extension force, waist circumference, and stature were shown by multiple regression to predict walking speed over both 8 feet (R = .459, p < .001) and 20 feet (R = .506, p < .001).
The estimates of normal gait speed provided are slower than many of those previously published but may be more representative of the population. As gait speed measured over 8 and 20 feet are comparable, using the shorter distance appears justifiable. Individuals walk faster who are younger, male, taller, stronger, and have smaller waists.
尽管步速是从老年人中获取的一项重要指标，但关于该指标仍存在诸多不确定性。因此，我利用一个基于大量人群的样本，试图：（1）得出“正常”步速的指标；（2）比较8英尺和20英尺距离测得的步速；（3）确定几个自变量与步速之间的关系。
2001 - 2002年国家健康与营养检查调查（NHANES）为年龄大于或等于50岁的个体（n = 1923）提供了以下数据：8英尺和20英尺距离的步速、年龄、身高、肥胖程度以及等速膝关节伸展力。计算了不同性别和年龄层的正常步速估计值。使用配对t检验和皮尔逊相关性比较8英尺和20英尺距离的步速。通过皮尔逊相关性和向前多元回归分析研究自变量与步速之间的关系。
8英尺和20英尺距离的平均步速分别为3.26英尺/秒和3.29英尺/秒。不同距离的步速存在显著差异（p = 0.002），但差异不显著；二者相关性很强（r = 0.933，p < 0.001）。年龄、身高、膝关节伸展力和腰围在两个距离上与步速均显著相关（p < 0.004）。多元回归显示，年龄、性别、膝关节伸展力、腰围和身高可预测8英尺（R = 0.459，p < 0.001）和20英尺（R = 0.506，p < 0.001）距离的步行速度。
所提供的正常步速估计值比之前许多研究公布的值要慢，但可能更具人群代表性。由于8英尺和20英尺距离测得的步速具有可比性，使用较短距离似乎是合理的。年龄较小、男性、较高、较强壮且腰围较小的个体步行速度更快。
