title: Predictors of Standardized Walking Obstacle Course outcome measures in children with and without developmental disabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to determine which characteristics of children predict measures on the Standardized Walking Obstacle Course (SWOC).
  
  
  METHODS
  SWOC testing was performed under 3 conditions: (1) walk, (2) walk with a tray, and (3) walk wearing shaded glasses. Trials consisted of standing up, walking the course in 1 direction, and sitting down. Children (n = 440) completed 2 trials per condition. Trial measures included time, and numbers of steps, stumbles, and steps off the path. Relationships were evaluated using Chi-square analyses and significant predictors were determined by multiple logistic regression analyses. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated to determine the accuracy of disability as a predictor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age, weight, and disability were the strongest predictors (P < .05). Increased age and weight predicted shorter time and fewest steps. Disability predicts longer time and most steps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SWOC is appropriate to screen children for disabilities in functional ambulation.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529, USA. kkott@odu.edu
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kott
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Held
authors.forename: Elizabeth Francis
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.forename: Mary Rose
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Franjoine
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*