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Concordance and discordance between two measures of lower extremity function: 400 meter self-paced walk and SPPB

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Abstract

Background and aims: The purpose of the study was to assess the concurrent validity of the 400 meter self-paced walk test (400-m W) against the commonly used short physical performance battery (SPPB). A secondary purpose was to determine whether the 400-m W could better discriminate physical performance among high functioning older adults by examining the distribution of 400-m W scores. Methods: 101 men and women (80.8±0.4 years) were recruited to participate in the study. The 400-m W and SPPB assessed lower extremity function. Lower extremity muscle strength, power, and contraction velocity was assessed using bilateral leg press (LP). Health history was obtained with questionnaire. Results: 400-m W demonstrated moderate correlations with SPPB (Pearson r=0.74; p<0.001). In 36 high functioning individuals (SPPB score= 10, 11, 12), participants above the median 400-m W performance time (n=20) had more medical conditions (2.8±0.4 vs 1.7±0.3; p=0.038), more reported falls (0.80±0.2 vs 0.19±0.1; p=0.016), more medications (3.7 ±04 vs 1.8±0.4; p=0.001), had lower LP power at 70% of the one repetition maximum (1RM) (336±45 W vs 663±78 W; p=0.001) and 40% 1RM (329±43 W vs 580±75 W; p=0.005), and had slower LP contraction velocity at 40% 1RM (77±5.5 m/s vs 112±8.4 m/s; p=0.001) compared with those below the median (n=16). Conclusions: A substantial number of apparently well functioning older adults demonstrated some limitations in the ability to walk 400 meters. Use of the 400-m W may be justified to obtain information to better discriminate among high functioning elderly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Sargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA

    Stephen P. Sayers PhD

  2. Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

    Jack M. Guralnik

  3. Department of Epidemiology and School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

    Anne B. Newman

  4. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

    Jennifer S. Brach

  5. Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA

    Roger A. Fielding

Authors
  1. Stephen P. Sayers PhD
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  2. Jack M. Guralnik
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  3. Anne B. Newman
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  4. Jennifer S. Brach
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  5. Roger A. Fielding
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Correspondence to Stephen P. Sayers PhD.

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Sayers, S.P., Guralnik, J.M., Newman, A.B. et al. Concordance and discordance between two measures of lower extremity function: 400 meter self-paced walk and SPPB. Aging Clin Exp Res 18, 100–106 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327424

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327424

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