title: Effect of acceleration and deceleration distance on the walking speed of people with chronic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of acceleration and deceleration distance (0, 1, 2 and 3 m) on the comfortable and maximum walking speeds in: (i) the 5-m walk test (5mWT); and (ii) the 10-m walk test (10mWT) in people with chronic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based rehabilitation centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty individuals with chronic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Timed walking at comfortable and maximum walking speeds in the 5mWT and 10mWT with different acceleration and deceleration distances (0, 1, 2 and 3 m).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The comfortable walking speed in the 5mWT with 0 m acceleration and deceleration distance was significantly slower than that with 1, 2 or 3 m acceleration and deceleration distances (p < 0.0083), but there was no significant difference among 1, 2 and 3 m acceleration and deceleration distances. No significant difference was found in the maximum walking speed in the 5mWT, or in the comfortable and maximum walking speeds of the 10mWT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adoption of 1 m acceleration and deceleration distance is recommended when measuring the comfortable walking speed in the 5mWT in people with stroke. Neither acceleration nor deceleration distance is needed when measuring the maximum walking speed in the 5mWT, the comfortable walking speed or the maximum walking speed in the 10mWT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong (SAR), China. Shamay.Ng@inet.polyu.edu.hk, rssng@inet.polyu.edu.hk, Shamay.Ng@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Shamay S M
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Kat K C
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: Emily L W
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Daisy O M
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ginger M Y
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Keung
authors.forename: Joanna K Y
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Patrick W H
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.forename: Eric W C
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: Shirley S M
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Fong
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003654:Deceleration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D000070857:Walk Test / Q000379:methods; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D000072797:Walking Speed / Q000502:physiology*