Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 89, Issue 12 , Pages 2293-2296, December 2008

The Reliability and Validity of Measures of Gait Variability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Presented at the International Society for Posture and Gait Research, Burlington, VT, July 14–18, 2007.

  • Jennifer S. Brach, PhD, PT

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to Jennifer S. Brach, PhD, PT, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, 6035 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
    • ,
  • Subashan Perera, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
    • ,
  • Stephanie Studenski, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
    • ,
  • Anne B. Newman, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
    • Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Abstract 

Brach JS, Perera S, Studenski S, Newman AB. The reliability and validity of measures of gait variability in community-dwelling older adults.

Objective

To examine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of variability of gait characteristics.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Participants

Older adults (N=558) from the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Gait characteristics were measured using a 4-m computerized walkway. SD determined from the steps recorded were used as the measures of variability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to examine test-retest reliability of a 4-m walk and two 4-m walks. To establish concurrent validity, the measures of gait variability were compared across levels of health, functional status, and physical activity using independent t tests and analysis of variances.

Results

Gait variability measures from the two 4-m walks demonstrated greater test-retest reliability than those from the single 4-m walk (ICC=.22–.48 and ICC=.40–.63, respectively). Greater step length and stance time variability were associated with poorer health, functional status and physical activity (P<.05).

Conclusions

Gait variability calculated from a limited number of steps has fair to good test-retest reliability and concurrent validity. Reliability of gait variability calculated from a greater number of steps should be assessed to determine if the consistency can be improved.

Key Words: Gait, Rehabilitation, Reliability and validity

List of Abbreviations: ADLs, activities of daily living, CHS, Cardiovascular Health Study, IADLs, instrumental activities of daily living, ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient

 

 Supported by the National Institutes of Health Public Health Service (grant no. TG32 AG00181) and the National Institutes of Health contracts (grant no. N01-HC-75150, N01-HC-45133, N01-HC-85079 through 85085, and HL 87079 through 87086); and the University of Pittsburgh Older American's Independence Center (grant no. P30 AG024827); the National Institutes of Health Public Health Service (grant no. TG32 AG00181); a National Institutes on Aging and American Federation of Aging Research Paul Beeson Career Development Award (grant no. K23 AG026766). The sponsor had no direct role in the design, methods, subject recruitment, data collection, analysis, or preparation of the manuscript.

 No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.

 Reprints are not available from the author.

PII: S0003-9993(08)01481-0

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2008.06.010

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 89, Issue 12 , Pages 2293-2296, December 2008

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