Usual and Dual-Task Walking Speed: Implications for Pedestrians Crossing the Road. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donoghue, Orna A.; Dooley, Cara; Kenny, Rose Anne
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 28:Number 5(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 850
• Page End: 862
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: mobility -- safety -- pedestrian crossings; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264315614004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objective: In many countries, pedestrian light crossings require a minimum walking speed of 1.2 m/s. This study examined the proportion of adults in a nationally representative sample whose usual and dual-task walking speeds are <1.2 m/s.Method: Community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) completed walking speed tests on a GAITRite® walkway ( N = 4, 909).Results: One third of Irish adults aged 65 to 74 years and 61% of adults aged ≥75 years walked slower than 1.2 m/s. In dual-task walking, 54% of adults aged <65 years and 91% of adults aged ≥75 years walked slower than 1.2 m/s.Discussion: Based on these data, many older people would have insufficient time to cross the road at light-controlled pedestrian crossings. Increasing the time provided would be an advantage for many older pedestrians.