Performance on fast- and usual-paced 400-m walk tests in older adults: are they comparable?

Abstract

Background and Aims Fast and usual-paced 400m walking tests are often used to assess physical fitness or function, respectively, though it is not known how performance converges on these tests. This study aims to determine whether performance on the fast and usual-paced 400m walks varies based upon age and physical function. Methods Participants (26 men, 38 women aged 70–92) completed a fast and usual-paced 400m walk. The Short Physical Performance Battery was used to assess function (score range 0–12). Body mass index and health history were also assessed. Results Finish times for the fast and usual-paced 400m walks were 333.3 and 380.3 seconds, respectively (p<0.0001), and highly correlated (r =.88, P <.001). Higher functioning participants (SPPB >10) had greater differences between tests compared to lower functioning participants (SPPB ≤ 10) (52.9 vs. 26.2 seconds, p=0.005), as did younger participants (age <80) compared to those age 80 and older (56.8 vs. 32.8 seconds, p=0.003). Discussion Older and lower functioning participants had greater convergence on the fast and usual-paced 400m walks. Potentially some of these lower functioning and older adults may have already performing at their maximal capacity during the usual-paced walk, while the younger and higher functioning participants were able to walk substantially faster when asked. Conclusions Choice of walking test should consider the age and functional capacity of the population as well as whether function or fitness is of interest.

The relationship between mitochondrial function and walking performance in older adults with a wide range of physical function

“…The inconsistencies concerning the relationship between ATP max and walking performance could be attributable to our walking performance measure (400 m walk); however, lower functioning individuals walk closer to their maximal performance during a usual paced 400 m walk compared with higher functioning (Lange-Maia et al, 2015). Therefore, since ATP max is highly related to VO 2 peak (Coen et al, 2013), a stronger relationship would have been expected in the lower functioning LIFE participants.…”

Change in Pain and Physical Function Following Bariatric Surgery for Severe Obesity

“…21,22 To minimize risk, participants were instructed to walk the 400-m course at their usual pace and to wear a heart rate monitor. After completion, participants were asked if they experienced back, hip, knee, or foot pain during the LDCW.…”

Daily physical activity patterns from hip- and wrist-worn accelerometers

“…The Aging Research Evaluating Accelerometry (AREA) study, part of the Developmental Epidemiologic Cohort Study (DECOS) (Lange-Maia et al, 2015), is a methodological study designed to examine the impact of accelerometer wear location on assessment of physical activity and sedentary behavior among 89 older adults. Detailed study protocols are described in detail elsewhere (Lange-Maia et al, 2015) Briefly, participants (aged 70 years and older) without self-reported health contraindications to fitness testing (cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, knee or hip replacement, or spinal surgery) and an inability to perform basic mobility tasks (i.e., severe pain, aching, or stiffness while walking) were recruited and enrolled in the study.…”

“…Detailed study protocols are described in detail elsewhere (Lange-Maia et al, 2015) Briefly, participants (aged 70 years and older) without self-reported health contraindications to fitness testing (cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, knee or hip replacement, or spinal surgery) and an inability to perform basic mobility tasks (i.e., severe pain, aching, or stiffness while walking) were recruited and enrolled in the study. During the free-living component of the AREA study (2012–2013), participants were asked to simultaneously wear 3 ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers: 1 on each wrist and 1 above the right hip bone.…”