Journal article
Gait speed assessment in confined spaces: Development of a novel automated 4-m static-start test to measure dynamic-start gait speed
Geriatrics & Gerontology International, Vol.25(3), pp.449-453
2025
PMID: 39829226
Abstract
Objectives
To promote standardization and feasible measurements of gait speed across the field, we developed a device that used light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology to measure gait speed from a standing-start testing procedure conducted on a 4-m total walkway. We compared this automated (LiDAR-based) standing-start 4-m gait speed test (AS-4MG) with automated and manual (stopwatch-based) dynamic-start 4-m gait speed tests (AD-4MG and MD-4MG, respectively) on between-method agreement, measurement repeatability, and predictive validity with functional outcomes.
Methods
A sample of 48 community-dwelling adults (mean [SD], 69 [9] years) participated in this method comparison study. Participants completed a survey and a physical function assessment, from which self-reported stair difficulty, handgrip strength, sit-to-stand performance, and gait speed (AS-, AD-, and MD-4MG) were measured.
Results
Mean AS-4MG, AD-4MG, and MD-4MG were 1.12, 1.13, and 1.14 m/s, respectively, with a strong correlation (r = 0.94) and no systematic bias observed between AS-4MG and the referent AD-4MG. In the analyses of repeated gait measurements, coefficients of repeatability were <0.20 m/s for the automated tests (0.16 and 0.18 m/s for AS-4MG and AD-4MG, respectively) but not for MD-4MG (0.22 m/s). Correlations between gait speed and functional measures ranged between 0.44 and 0.68 (Ps < 0.01). Correlations for the automated tests were comparable, while AS-4MG correlations tended to exceed MD-4MG correlations.
Conclusions
In community-dwelling adults, the AS-4MG test was unbiased when compared with the AD-4MG, encompassing a 9-m walkway, with both tests showing equivalence of measurement repeatability and predictive validity. The AS-4MG potentially allows gait measurements in confined spaces (e.g., doctor's office) where the gait speed test was previously unfeasible.
Details
- Title
- Gait speed assessment in confined spaces: Development of a novel automated 4-m static-start test to measure dynamic-start gait speed
- Authors
- Yong-Hao Pua (Corresponding Author) - Duke-NUS Medical SchoolRoss Allan Clark - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise ScienceLaura Tay - Sengkang General HospitalYee-Sien Ng - Sengkang General HospitalJaylyn Tze-Theng Poh - Singapore General HospitalSalma Bte Md Ibrahim - Singapore General HospitalWai-Chye Cheong - SingHealthHong-Han Tan - Singapore General HospitalJulian Thumboo - Duke-NUS Medical School
- Publication details
- Geriatrics & Gerontology International, Vol.25(3), pp.449-453
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1111/ggi.15077
- ISSN
- 1447-0594
- PMID
- 39829226
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.
- Grant note
- This study is funded by National Health Innovation Centre Singapore (NHIC-I2D-211284).
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991096233502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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