Normative Data on Spontaneous Stride Velocity, Stride Length, and Walking Activity in a Non-controlled Environment.

Abstract BACKGROUND Normative data are necessary for validation of new outcome measures. Recently, the 95th centile of stride speed was qualified by the European Medicines Agency as a valid secondary outcome for clinical trials in subjects with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This study aims to obtain normative data on spontaneous stride velocity and length in a non-controlled environment and their evolution over a 1-year period.METHOD 91 Healthy volunteers (50 females, 41 males), mean age 16 years 11 months, were recruited and assessed at baseline and 12 months later. 4-stair climb, 6-minute walk test, 10-metre walk test and rise from floor were performed. Stride length, stride velocity, and the distance walked per hour were studied in daily living for one month after each evaluation.RESULTS We observed significant positive correlations of the stride length with age and height of participants, and a significant increase of the median stride length over 1-year in children. In children, the 95th centile stride velocity was not correlated with age and was stable over a 1-year period.CONCLUSION This study provides with data on the influence of age, height, and gender on stride velocity and length as well as the natural change over 1-year in controls.