Age expansion of the thirty-second walk test norms for children.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to expand age ranges for a previously published normative database (n = 227) on the 30-second walk test, describe changes with age, explore contributions of subject characteristics, and verify previous data.


METHODS
Children (n = 302; age, 5-17 years) from 4 urban schools were tested for distance walked in 30 seconds. Age, height, right lower extremity length, weight, sex, and race/ethnicity were recorded.


RESULTS
Distance walked increased from 5 to 10 years of age, decreased slightly at age 11 years, followed by a more gradual decrease from 12 to 17 years. A significant difference in distance walked was found across ages. Right leg length, age, and weight explained 11.5% of the variance in walk distance.


CONCLUSIONS
A percentile chart of the pooled data (previous and current, n = 529) should facilitate the use of the 30-second walk test when examining children for mobility limitations.
Knutson
Loretta M
LM
Krannert School of Physical Therapy, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Ptfutures@mchsi.com
Bushman
Barbara
B
Young
Janice Clark
JC
Ward
Gary
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*