衰弱防治為全球高齡化趨勢所重視的議題。走路速度變慢為衰弱表徵,走路速度為公認的身體功能性指標,也是肌肉減少症的第一線篩檢指標。走路測試從過去著重於病人步態研究逐漸轉為簡易的走路速度檢測,然而許多研究使用研究工具以及測試距離不同,容易造成數據解讀與應用的困難,本文回顧過去研究結果提出於社區執行的建議;測量工具雖有人工計時、壓力感測墊、雷射或紅外線偵測器等自動偵測系統不同方式,但由過去實證研究發現不同工具所測得的數據差異不大,因此建議可以用最節省經費的人工計時方式進行;另外檢測距離由過去研究發現,4公尺距離是短距離的檢測,但考量最短加速與減速距離,建議至少6公尺,檢測次數2次,取優計入為宜。
Frailty prevention is global aging society issues. Slow walking speed is one of frailty phoneme. Walking speed is recognized as a physical capacity index and it is also the first-line screening criterial of sarcopenia. Walking test focused on gait of patients is turning into simple walking speed detection. However, various tools and test methods are likely to cause difficulties in interpretation and application of results. We reviewed the previous related studies then propose the recommendation for community implementation. Artificial timing (stop watch), pressure sensing pad, laser or infrared detectors were used in the previous studies. The studies demonstrated that the results were similar using different measurement devices. Therefore, we suggested stop watch is the most cost-saving methods in the community. Four-meter distance is the shortest test distance. However, it is needed to consider acceleration and deceleration distance. Therefore, 6-m is probably test distance for walking test. We suggest the fastest walking speed is to evaluate performance following twice test.