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Walking speed (more commonly referred to as gait speed) is extremely valuable when examining aspects of functional mobility in older adults.

Gait speed is used to evaluate physical function and also to assess the general health status. Gait speed has been considered by some to be a “Vital Sign,” with it’s predictive ability being linked with a myriad of common outcomes including hospitalization, fall risk, cognitive decline, disability, and mortality.[1]

Being screened as not-at-risk for falls does not mean no risk at all. Routinely and universally assessing gait speed could identify not-at-risk individuals who are likely to sustain injuries after a fall and could benefit from primary prevention.

Manual stopwatch measurement is the most frequently used method to evaluate gait speed. It is simple, fast, convenient, and economical and can be performed easily. However automatic sensors are increasingly used for more accurate measurement.[2]The objective of this page is to provide an overview of gait speed, methods of measurement, and implications for clinical practice. Please note that this page pertains specifically to gait speed as a measured value and not tests such as the 10-Meter Walk Test, whose results are recorded as a gait speed.

Intended Population

Gait speed can be measured in pretty much any population, but it is most commonly used as a predictive measure in the older adult population.[1]Gait speed at it’s simplest form is a function of how long it takes a person to travel a given distance. As such, speed is determined by the following equation:

Speed (s) = distance (d) ÷ time (t)

Given this, any procedure with can supply these two variables (distance and time) can yield a gait speed for the chosen testing circumstances. This results in many variations of how gait speed is measured, with no one set methods used across the board.[1]

Certain parameters can be of interest when looking specifically at how gait speed is measured, and there have been many suggestions regarding the standardization of procedures. Mehmet, Robinson, and Yang[1] performed a systematic review of approximately 50 studies looking specifically at the methods of measuring gait speed between investigators. Below are components they looked at and the variations they found:

  • Timing device / Measuring tool, digital stopwatch, analogue stopwatch, accelerometer, photocell triggered computer stopwatch, walking system (i.e. GAITRite).
  • Measurement distance, ranging from 2.4 meters to 15 meters; 3, 4, and 6 meters were the most commonly used distances.
  • Timing points – Acceleration and deceleration zones were sometimes used with time measured between the two middle points. of a four-point course.
  • Use of walking aids, walking aids were generally allowed, but in some cases, they were not permitted.
  • Number of trials, two trials were performed most commonly.
  • Walking pace, pace was commonly specified as normal or self-selected, although fast pace was sometimes measured.

Given the wide variation in protocol and measurement methods, Mehmet, Robinson, and Yang[1] suggest the following standard procedure for determining gait speed:

  • Older adult walks at a comfortable pace with appropriate walking-aid .
  • Straight path and flat surface.
  • 9-meter total distance, with the first and last 2.5 meters used for acceleration and deceleration.
  • Time recorded for the middle 4 meters.
  • Handheld stopwatch.
  • Fastest of 2 trials is recorded.
  • Gait Speed (m/s) = 4 meters ÷ Time (seconds).

The following video depicts the general structure and execution of a test measuring gait speed.

Normative and Predictive Data

Typical gait speeds across various settings:[4]

  • Normal
    • Acute care (hospital): o.455 m/s.
    • Subacute / rehab facility: 0.529 m/s.
    • Outpatient: 0.739 m/s.
  • Maximal
    • Acute care (hospital): 0.749 m/s.
    • Subacute / rehab facility: 0.822 m/s.
    • Outpatient: 1.033 m/s
Typical gait speeds based on age:[4]
  • Woman age 70-79 comfortable pace: 1.13 m/s.
  • Men age 70-79 comfortable pace: 1.26 m/s.
  • Woman age 80-99 comfortable pace: 0.94 m/s.
  • Men age 80-99 comfortable pace: 0.97 m/s.
Predictive values for community dwelling older adults:[5]
  • <0.8 m/s – predictive of poor clinical outcomes.
  • < 0.6 m/s – predictive of continued decline in individuals already experiencing poor outcomes.
Predicted ambulatory level in post stroke populations based on gait speed[6][7]
  • Household ambulator: <0.4 m/s
  • Limited community ambulator: 0.4 – 0.8 m/s
  • Unlimited community ambulator: >0.8 m/s

Reliability

Given the variability in procedure and applicable populations, data regarding reliability is often determined with regard to specific populations or modes of determining gait speed.

Normal gait speed in adults measured using 4-meter distance:[8]

  • Test-retest reliability (Inter-class correlation): 0.406 (Low reliability)
  • Minimal detectable change w/ 95% confidence (MDC95%): 0.5 m/s

Normal gait speed in healthy older adults comparing 4 meter and 10-meter distances:[9]

  • Test-retest reliability (Inter-class correlation) for 4-meter distance: 0.96 (High reliability).
  • Test-retest reliability (Inter-class correlation) for 10-meter distance: 0.98 (High reliability).
Gait speed in adults with hemiparesis following stroke using 10-meter distance[10]
  • Test-retest reliability (Inter-class correlation) for normal gait speed: 0.94 (excellent reliability).
  • Test-retest reliability (Inter-class correlation) for fast gait speed: 0.97 (excellent reliability)

Validity

Similar to reliability, validity is also quite specific to particular populations and given testing parameters.

Criterion validity for community dwelling older adults using 8 feet and 20 feet distances:[11]

  • Age, gender, knee extension force, waist circumference, and stature as predictive aspects of gait speed
    • 8 feet distance: Multiple correlation R = 0.459
    • 20 feet distance: Multiple correlation R = 0.506
    • Older age, female gender, shorter height, lesser knee extension force, and larger waist circumference are correlated with slower gait speeds

References

  1.  Mehmet H, Robinson SR, Yang AWH. Assessment of Gait Speed in Older Adults. J Geriatr Phys Ther 2020; 43(1):42-52.
  2.  Kim DY, Oh SL. What is the Optimal Tool to Measure Gait Speed in a Clinical Setting?. Annals of geriatric medicine and research. 2019 Sep;23(3):155. Available:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7370772/ (accessed 9.1.2025)
  3.  PaulPotterPT. Gait Speed Test. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtiTtxfGFOY [last accessed 9/11/2014].
  4.  Peel NM, Kuys SS, Klein K. Gait Speed as a Measure in Geriatric Assessment in Clinical Settings: A Systematic Review. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. 68(1); 2013: 39–46.
  5.  Abellan van Kan G, Rolland Y, Andrieu S, Bauer J, Beauchet O, Bonnefoy M, et al. Gait speed at usual pace as a predictor of adverse outcomes in community-dwelling older people an International Academy on Nutrition and Aging (IANA) Task Force. J Nutr Health Aging. 2009 Dec; 13(10): 881-9.
  6.  Perry J, Garrett M, Gronley JK, Mulroy SJ. Classification of walking handicap in the stroke population. Stroke. 1995;26(6): 982-9.
  7.  Schmid A, Duncan PW, Studenski S, Lai SM, Richards L, Perera S, Wu SS. Improvements in speed-based gait classifications are meaningful. Stroke. 2007; 38(7): 2096-100.
  8.  Bohannon RW, Wang YC. Four-Meter Gait Speed: Normative Values and Reliability Determined for Adults Participating in the NIH Toolbox Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2019; 100(3): 509-513.
  9.  Peters DM, Fritz SL, Krotish DE. Assessing the reliability and validity of a shorter walk test compared with the 10-Meter Walk Test for measurements of gait speed in healthy, older adults. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2013; 36(1): 24-30.
  10.  Flansbjer UB, Holmbäck AM, Downham D, Patten C, Lexell J. Reliability of gait performance tests in men and women with hemiparesis after stroke. J Rehabil Med. 2005; 37(2): 75-82.
  11.  Bohannon RW. Population representative gait speed and its determinants. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2008; 31(2): 49-52.