Yale University School of Medicine, 367 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06511.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2013 Dec;68(12):1532-9. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glt060. Epub 2013 May 8.
Habitual gait speed (HGS) and the figure-of-8 walking test (F8WT) are measures of walking ability that have been associated with mobility outcomes and disability among older adults. Our objective was to contrast the physiologic, health, and behavioral attributes underlying performance of these two walking tests among older adults with mobility limitations.
HGS and F8WT were the primary outcomes. HGS was measured as time needed to walk a 4-m straight course at usual pace from standstill position. F8WT was measured as time to walk in a figure-of-8 pattern at self-selected usual pace from standstill position. Separate multivariable linear regression models were constructed that predicted walking performance. Independent variables included physiologic, cognitive-behavioral health attributes, and demographic information.
Of 430 participants, 414 completed both walking tests. Participants were 67.7% female, had a mean age of 76.5 ± 7.0 years and a mean of 4.1 ± 2.0 chronic conditions. Mean HGS was 0.94 ± 0.23 m/s and mean F8WT was 8.80 ± 2.90 seconds. Within separate multivariable linear regression models (HGS: R (2) = .46, p model < .001; F8WT: R (2) = .47, p model < .001), attributes statistically significant within both models included: trunk extension endurance, ankle range of motion, leg press velocity at peak power, executive function, and sensory loss. Cognitive and physiologic attributes uniquely associated with F8WT were cognitive processing speed and self-efficacy, and reaction time and heel-to-floor time. Pain and peak leg press strength were associated with only HGS.
Both HGS and F8WT are useful tests of walking performance. Factors uniquely associated with F8WT suggest that it may be well suited for use among older adult patients with balance problems or at risk for falls.
习惯性步速（HGS）和 8 字形走步测试（F8WT）是与老年人的移动能力和残疾相关的行走能力的衡量标准。我们的目的是比较有行动障碍的老年人在进行这两种步行测试时的生理、健康和行为特征。
HGS 和 F8WT 是主要的结果。HGS 通过从静止位置以正常速度行走 4 米直线来测量，时间为所用时间。F8WT 通过从静止位置以自我选择的正常速度在 8 字形图案中行走来测量，时间为所用时间。建立了单独的多变量线性回归模型，预测行走表现。自变量包括生理、认知行为健康属性和人口统计学信息。
在 430 名参与者中，有 414 名完成了两项步行测试。参与者中 414 名女性，平均年龄为 76.5 ± 7.0 岁，平均有 4.1 ± 2.0 种慢性疾病。平均 HGS 为 0.94 ± 0.23 m/s，平均 F8WT 为 8.80 ± 2.90 秒。在单独的多变量线性回归模型中（HGS：R²=0.46，p<0.001；F8WT：R²=0.47，p<0.001），两个模型中都具有统计学意义的属性包括：躯干伸展耐力、踝关节活动范围、峰值功率时的腿推速度、执行功能和感觉丧失。与 F8WT 唯一相关的认知和生理属性是认知处理速度和自我效能，以及反应时间和脚跟到地板时间。疼痛和峰值腿推力量仅与 HGS 相关。
HGS 和 F8WT 都是行走表现的有用测试。与 F8WT 唯一相关的因素表明，它可能非常适合用于有平衡问题或有跌倒风险的老年患者。
