The validity and reliability of the 10-meter walk test with obstacles in community-dwelling older adults

The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the 10-meter walk test modified by adding 5 and 17 cm obstacles (10MWT-O) in community-dwelling older adults and to examine its ability to differentiate between older and younger adults. The study included 65 older adults and 55 younger adults. 10MWT-O (obstacle height: 0, 5, 17 cm) was performed on two different days (day 1 and day 2). All participants were assessed by the same assessor on days 1 and 2. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Time Up and Go (TUG) test, Mini Mental State Test, and Functional Reach Test (FRT) assessments were performed on day 1. 10MWT-O speed for all obstacle heights showed moderate to good correlations with FRT distance ( r = 0.474-0.539, P < 0.001), TUG Test time ( r = -0.722 to -0.671, P < 0.001), and BBS score ( r = 0.619-0.660, P < 0.001). Test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.924-0.960) was found to be within the excellent range for 10MWT-O speed across all obstacle heights. For obstacle heights of 0, 5, and 17 cm, the minimum detectable change for 10MWT-O speed was 0.16, 0.19, and 0.20 m/s, and the optimal cutoff values for differentiating older from young adults were 1.12, 0.98, and 0.85 m/s, respectively. The 10MWT-O is a reliable and valid clinical measure for assessing walking ability and adaptability in older adults. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06307769.