The possibility of differences between preferred and fastest speed as an indicator of functional decline: a preliminary study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the possibility to use the differences between preferred and fastest speed as a predictor of functional decline. The study recruited well-functioning subjects, aged between 21 – 80 years. The subjects were arranged into a group of 10-year intervals, 5 males and 5 females in each age group with the attempts to control other demographic variables such as height and BMI. Subjects were tested their preferred and fastest walking speed by using the 10-meter walk test.  The results showed that walking speed decreased in elder subjects who had more functional decline of body systems, particularly in fastest walking speed. Thus these subjects had smaller differences of preferred and fastest speed than the younger subjects. The findings indicated that the differences of preferred and fastest walking speed may be used as an indicator of functional decline of patients.