6533b859fe1ef96bd12b77dc

RESEARCH PRODUCT

FREE-LIVING AND LABORATORY-BASED GAIT ASSESSMENTS PROVIDE CONGRUENT RESULTS AMONG 75-YEAR-OLD MEN AND WOMEN

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It is often wondered how representative laboratory-based assessments are of the free-living condition. Indeed, free-living gait is more predictive of self-reported falls history compared to laboratory-based gait. However, explicit explorations of the relationship between laboratory-based and free-living based gait parameters remain scarce. Therefore, this association was studied using a trunk-worn accelerometer during a laboratory-based 6-min walking test, and in free-living conditions (6 days) in a sample of 75-year-old men and women (N=77). Gait quantity (minutes of walking per day, distance covered for free-living and laboratory, respectively) and quality (assessed with multiscale entropy for both, coarseness scales τ = 20, embedding dimension m = 4, threshold r = 0.3 x SD of the bout) were evaluated from each continuous gait bout ≥ 1 min duration. Free-living and laboratory-based entropy results were positively associated (r = 0.424 to 0.583 with scales 1 to 20; all p < 0.05). Quantity of gait was positively associated between the free-living and laboratory assessments (r = 0.232; p = 0.034). Free-living and laboratory-based gait assessments provide congruent results but with incomplete overlap. These results support the emerging literature that free-living accelerometer recordings over several days detect features of gait not captured in a laboratory. Free-living gait assessment causes relatively low participant burden as the accelerometer can be attached to the body for multiple days without interfering with daily activities. Hence, including free-living gait assessment to supplement a laboratory-based assessment could be considered feasible and even prudent.