Characteristics of 400-meter walk test performance and subsequent mortality in older adults.
The purpose was to examine the relationship between performance in the 400-meter walking test and mortality. Data are from a population-based sample of 948 Italian men and women > or =65 years. The main outcome measures that were assessed comprised time to complete the 400-meter walk, 20-meter lap time coefficient of variation, need to rest during the test, and ability to complete the walk. All-cause mortality was ascertained over a 6-year follow-up period. Data were analyzed with proportional hazard logistic and linear regression analyses. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, all 400-meter walking test variables except need to rest were associated with mortality. After further adjusting for the Mini-Mental State Examination, symptoms of depression, education, smoking, body mass index, being sedentary/minimally active, disease burden, and lower extremity performance (Short Physical Performance Battery score), both time to complete the 400-meter walk and lap time coefficient of variation were significant independent predictors of mortality. We conclude that multiple aspects of performance in the 400-meter walk test provide complementary information on mortality prognosis in older persons.
Vestergaard
Sonja
S
Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-9205, USA. vestergaards@mail.nih.gov
Patel
Kushang V
KV
Bandinelli
Stefania
S
Ferrucci
Luigi
L
Guralnik
Jack M
JM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking