@article {1065, title = {The reliability and validity of measures of gait variability in community-dwelling older adults.}, journal = {Arch Phys Med Rehabil}, volume = {89}, year = {2008}, month = {2008 Dec}, pages = {2293-6}, abstract = {

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.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Disability Evaluation, Exercise, Female, Gait, Health Status, Humans, Male, Pennsylvania, Rehabilitation, Reproducibility of Results}, issn = {1532-821X}, doi = {10.1016/j.apmr.2008.06.010}, author = {Brach, Jennifer S and Perera, Subashan and Studenski, Stephanie and Newman, Anne B} }