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Updated: May 4, 2026
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Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients and Older Adults
Published on: November 7, 2014
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Does upper limb coordination predict walking speed in older adults? A cross-sectional study.
John H Hollman1, Katherine C Beed, Ryan J Buus
1Program in Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota.
Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy (2001)
|January 11, 2014
Summary
Timed finger-to-nose tests do not reliably predict walking speed in older adults. While other factors like strength and balance are key, coordination offers limited predictive value for gait in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuromuscular Function
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Walking speed is a critical indicator of physical function in older adults.
- Nonambulatory older adults may require proxy measures for walking speed.
- Limb coordination tests, performable in non-weight-bearing positions, are potential proxies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between timed limb coordination and walking speed.
- To determine if limb coordination can serve as a proxy for walking speed in older adults.
- To identify predictors of walking speed, controlling for other factors.
Main Methods:
- 84 healthy older adults (age > 60) participated.
- Measured preferred and maximum walking speed (10-Meter Walk Test).
- Assessed upper limb coordination (timed 5-repetition finger-to-nose test), knee extension strength, cognition, limits of stability, comorbidities, age, height, and sex.
- Utilized multiple regression and partial correlation analyses.
Main Results:
- Finger-to-nose coordination showed a negative correlation with walking speeds.
- This correlation was attenuated when controlling for other variables.
- Age, comorbidities, functional reach, and knee extension strength were significant predictors of walking speed.
- Finger-to-nose coordination weakly predicted maximum walking speed (2.9% variance) after excluding strength and reach measures.
Conclusions:
- Knee extension strength, functional reach, comorbidities, and age are primary predictors of walking speed.
- Timed finger-to-nose coordination is a weak predictor of walking speed in older adults.
- The finger-to-nose test is not a valid proxy for walking speed when weight-bearing tests are contraindicated.
