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Updated: May 3, 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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Determinants of gait speed in COPD
Craig Karpman1, Zachary S DePew1, Nathan K LeBrasseur2
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Chest
|February 14, 2014
Summary
Gait speed in COPD patients strongly correlates with exercise capacity, specifically the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). This simple measure effectively screens for poor exercise performance, aiding clinical care.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Geriatrics
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Physical function measures are crucial for COPD management but underutilized in clinical practice.
- Gait speed offers a simple yet powerful assessment of physical function, particularly relevant for elderly patients.
- Its potential utility in routine COPD care warrants comprehensive investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the determinants of gait speed in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
- To assess the association of gait speed with objectively measured physical activity.
- To determine the relationship between gait speed and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in COPD patients.
Main Methods:
- One hundred thirty stable COPD patients underwent two 4-m gait speed tests (usual and maximal pace).
- Gait speed was analyzed against various factors including demographics, lung function, dyspnea, quality of life, physical activity, exercise capacity, mood, cognition, and healthcare utilization.
- Statistical modeling was employed to identify independent predictors of gait speed.
Main Results:
- Gait speed showed a strong, independent association with the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) (r = 0.77-0.80).
- Gait speed demonstrated excellent predictive ability for poor (≤350m) and very poor (≤200m) 6MWT distances.
- No independent association was found between gait speed and daily physical activity, quality of life, mood, or cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Gait speed is a more significant indicator of exercise capacity (6MWT) than daily physical activity in COPD.
- Despite its simplicity, gait speed possesses excellent screening capabilities for identifying individuals with poor 6MWT performance.
- Gait speed is a valuable and informative tool for enhancing the clinical management of COPD patients.
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