Adding challenge to performance-based tests of walking - The walking InCHIANTI toolkit (WIT)

Objective: In this report, we provide a detailed description of and reproducibility data on the 14 performance-based tests of lower limb function included in the Walking InCHIANTI Toolkit, which were designed to mimic challenging situations that are encountered while walking in daily life. Design: Five women and five men were randomly selected from each of the age strata, 65-74, 75-84, and >= 85 yrs, among those who received a functional evaluation in the Greve site at the second InCHIANTI study follow-up (total n = 30). Walking tests were administered twice at 2-wk intervals. Analyses were aimed at assessing reproducibility of the Walking InCHIANTI Toolkit components and the existence of a learning effect. Results: Performance remained stable for eight walking tests and slightly but significantly improved for the 25-cm narrow-path walk, 7-m usual-pace, 7-m obstacle normal light, 7-m holding a package, and 7-m talking while walking tests. Test-retest reliability was in general very high, with 11 of 14 (79%) of the intraclass; correlation coefficient values > 0.80 and all except one (7-m holding a package) > 0.75. Conclusion: The walking tests included in the Walking InCHIANTI Toolkit show very good medium-term reproducibility and modest learning effect. Administering components of the Walking InCHIANTI Toolkit may help in the understanding of the effect of challenges encountered in daily life on walking performance.