Reference values of maximum walking speed among independent community-dwelling Danish adults aged 60 to 79 years: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo establish reference values for maximum walking speed over 10 m for independent community-dwelling Danish adults, aged 60 to 79 years, and to evaluate the effects of gender and age.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingDanish companies and senior citizens clubs.ParticipantsTwo hundred and fifty-two adults (167 women, 85 men) with a mean age of 70 [standard deviation (SD) 4] years.InterventionsNot applicable.Main outcome measureResults for the 10-m walk test (10 MWT) were used to establish reference values.ResultsThe mean reference value for maximum walking speed over 10 m for all participants was 1.94 (SD 0.31) m/second. Reference values for women aged 60 to 69 years and 70 to 79 years were 1.96 (SD 0.26) and 1.81 (SD 0.29) m/second, respectively. Reference values for men aged 60 to 69 years and 70 to 79 years were 2.10 (SD 0.35) and 2.01 (SD 0.30) m/second, respectively. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed in the age and gender categories. Men were found to walk faster than women, and individuals aged 60 to 69 years walked faster than individuals aged 70 to 79 years.ConclusionsThis study established the reference values for maximum walking speed over 10 m among independent community-dwelling Danish adults aged 60 to 79 years. The study results showed significant differences in maximum walking speed for different ages and between men and women.