title: Prevalence and Risk Factors for Low Habitual Walking Speed in Nursing Home Residents: An Observational Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify habitual walking speed and estimate the prevalence of low habitual walking speed (<0.8m/s and <0.5m/s) in nursing home residents; and secondarily to gain some insight into whether demographic, health, and functional outcomes could predict the nursing home residents' walking speed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven nursing homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nursing home residents (N=102 [37%] of 273 eligible, randomly selected residents from 11 nursing homes consented to participate in this study).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was habitual walking speed assessed over a distance of 2.4m. Secondary outcomes including body composition, muscle strength, balance and physical performance as assessed via the Short Physical Performance Battery, and historical and current demographic and health measures were all assessed as potential predictors of walking speed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean walking speed was .37±.26 m/s, meaning that 97% and 75% of participants had walking speeds <0.8m/s and <0.5m/s, respectively. Multivariable linear regression identified physical activity status before 50 years of age and daily sitting time as independent predictors of walking speed (r(2)=.25, P<.05), although this regression only accounted for 25% of the variance in walking speed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almost all participants in this study had below-normal walking speed, a known clinical predictor of physical performance. Because walking speed is a clinical marker of many age-related adverse outcomes in older age, efforts to increase or at least maintain walking speed in nursing home residents should be considered. Some evidence suggests that progressive resistance training may offset these declines in walking speed.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Australia; Human Potential Centre, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand; Cluster for Health Improvement, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia. Electronic address: jkeogh@bond.edu.au.
authors.forename: Justin William
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Ipswich, Australia.
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Senior
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Australia; Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia.
authors.forename: Elaine Margaret
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Beller
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Australia; University of Queensland/Blue Care Research and Practice Development Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Henwood
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016138:Walking
keywords: Aging; Frail elderly; Gait; Independent living; Nursing homes; Rehabilitation; Sarcopenia