Words matter: instructions dictate "self-selected" walking speed in young adults.

BACKGROUND

Variability in gait speed is influenced by age and health status. However, no study has investigated the effects of different instructions on gait speed.

RESEARCH QUESTION

This study investigated how walking prompts contributed to variability in gait speed.

METHODS

Participants walked on a pressurized walkway. Gait speed variability was assessed using multilevel modeling.

RESULTS

61% of the variance in gait speed was due to instruction, while 14% was due to individual differences.

SIGNIFICANCE

Reference values for gait speed across a number of prompts will be highly useful for assessing gait performance in young adults. Further, the instruction given produces a large amount of variability in selected walking speed. This finding urges researchers to maintain consistency when delivering walking instructions.