Effect of acceleration and deceleration distance on walking speed of people with chronic stroke

Objective: To examine the effect of acceleration and deceleration distance (0, 1, 2 and 3 m) on the comfortable and maximum walking speeds in: (i) the 5-m walk test (5mWT); and (ii) the 10-m walk test (10mWT) in people with chronic stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University-based rehabilitation centre. Subjects: Thirty individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: Timed walking at comfortable and maximum walking speeds in the 5mWT and 10mWT with different acceleration and deceleration distances (0, 1, 2 and 3 m). Results: The comfortable walking speed in the 5mWT with 0 m acceleration and deceleration distance was significantly slower than that with 1, 2 or 3 m acceleration and deceleration distances (p < 0.0083), but there was no significant difference among 1, 2 and 3 m acceleration and deceleration distances. No significant difference was found in the maximum walking speed in the 5mWT, or in the comfortable and maximum walking speeds of the 10mWT. Conclusion: Adoption of 1 m acceleration and deceleration distance is recommended when measuring the comfortable walking speed in the 5mWT in people with stroke. Neither acceleration nor deceleration distance is needed when measuring the maximum walking speed in the 5mWT, the comfortable walking speed or the maximum walking speed in the 10mWT.