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Updated: Apr 20, 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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The impact of testing protocol on recorded gait speed
Ashley Sustakoski1, Subashan Perera2, Jessie M VanSwearingen1
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
Gait & Posture
|December 4, 2014
Summary
Gait speed measurement varies significantly based on starting method, surface, and pace. Standardizing protocols is crucial for accurate comparisons in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Clinical Biomechanics
Background:
- Gait speed is a critical predictor of health outcomes in older adults, including disability, cognitive decline, hospitalization, and mortality.
- Current clinical and research protocols for measuring gait speed lack standardization, potentially affecting recorded values.
- The impact of varying testing protocols on gait speed measurements has not been thoroughly investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare gait speed measurements obtained from different testing protocols within the same cohort of older adults.
- To identify how variations in starting procedures, testing surfaces, and walking pace influence recorded gait speed.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 104 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 77.2 years).
- Gait speed was measured over 4 meters using five distinct protocols: standing start (usual pace, over ground), walking start (usual pace, over ground with optokinetic device), walking start (usual pace, over ground with stopwatch), walking start (usual pace, computerized walkway), and walking start (fast pace, computerized walkway).
- Statistical analysis using linear mixed models and pairwise comparisons was employed to compare gait speeds across protocols.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in gait speed were observed across protocols.
- Walking start protocols yielded faster speeds (0.17 m/s faster) compared to standing starts (p < .001).
- Computerized walkways resulted in slower speeds (0.07 m/s slower) than over-ground measurements (p < .001), and fast-paced walks were faster (0.25 m/s faster) than usual-paced walks (p < .001).
Conclusions:
- Starting protocol, testing surface, and walking pace significantly impact recorded gait speed in older adults.
- These findings highlight the need for careful consideration when comparing gait speed data across studies with differing methodologies.
- Standardization of gait speed testing protocols is recommended to enhance the reliability and comparability of research findings and clinical assessments.
