Baltimore VA Medical Center, Baltimore Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Sensors (Basel). 2024 Jul 18;24(14):4656. doi: 10.3390/s24144656.
Instrumenting the six-minute walk test (6MWT) adds information about gait quality and insight into fall risk. Being physically active and preserving multi-directional stepping abilities are also important for fall risk reduction. This analysis investigated the relationship of gait quality during the 6MWT with physical functioning and physical activity. Twenty-one veterans (62.2 ± 6.4 years) completed the four square step test (FSST) multi-directional stepping assessment, a gait speed assessment, health questionnaires, and the accelerometer-instrumented 6MWT. An activity monitor worn at home captured free-living physical activity. Gait measures were not significantly different between minutes of the 6MWT. However, participants with greater increases in stride time (ρ = -0.594, < 0.01) and stance time (ρ = -0.679, < 0.01) during the 6MWT reported lower physical functioning. Neither physical activity nor sedentary time were related to 6MWT gait quality. Participants exploring a larger range in stride time variability (ρ = 0.614, < 0.01) and stance time variability (ρ = 0.498, < 0.05) during the 6MWT required more time to complete the FSST. Participants needing at least 15 s to complete the FSST meaningfully differed from those completing the FSST more quickly on all gait measures studied. Instrumenting the 6MWT helps detect ranges of gait performance and provides insight into functional limitations missed with uninstrumented administration. Established FSST cut points identify aging adults with poorer gait quality.
对六分钟步行测试（6MWT）进行仪器化可提供有关步态质量的信息，并深入了解跌倒风险。积极锻炼身体并保持多方向的踏步行走能力对于降低跌倒风险也很重要。本分析研究了 6MWT 期间步态质量与身体机能和身体活动之间的关系。21 名退伍军人（62.2±6.4 岁）完成了四方步测试（FSST）多方向踏步行走评估、步态速度评估、健康问卷和带加速度计的 6MWT。在家中佩戴的活动监测器可记录自由生活中的身体活动。6MWT 各分钟的步态测量值无显着差异。然而，步长时间（ρ=-0.594，<0.01）和站立时间（ρ=-0.679，<0.01）在 6MWT 中增加较大的参与者报告身体机能较低。身体活动和久坐时间均与 6MWT 步态质量无关。在 6MWT 期间，步长时间变异性（ρ=0.614，<0.01）和站立时间变异性（ρ=0.498，<0.05）探索更大范围的参与者需要更多的时间来完成 FSST。需要至少 15 秒才能完成 FSST 的参与者在所有研究的步态测量值上与那些更快完成 FSST 的参与者明显不同。仪器化的 6MWT 有助于检测步态表现范围，并深入了解未经仪器化管理可能会错过的功能限制。既定的 FSST 切点可识别步态质量较差的老年成年人。
