THE 6TH VITAL SIGN

Gait Speed Pro (10MWT)

Clinical Stopwatch & Functional Velocity Engine

10MWT TIMER 0.00s
Auto-filled by stopwatch.

Use clinical timer to calculate
meters per second (m/s)

EMR PROGRESS NOTE

Clinical Interpretation (Perry et al.)

< 0.4 m/s
Household
0.4 - 0.8
Limited Community
0.8 - 1.2
Community
> 1.2 m/s
Crosses Street

Standard 10MWT "Flying Start" Protocol

  1. Acceleration Zone: Patient starts walking 2 meters *before* the first marker.
  2. Timed Zone (10m): Start stopwatch when the lead foot crosses the 2m marker.
  3. Deceleration Zone: Patient continues walking 2 meters *past* the final marker.
  4. Timing: Stop stopwatch when the lead foot crosses the 12m marker. This ensures steady-state velocity is measured.

Expert FAQs

Can I use a 5-meter path instead of 10?

While 10m is the gold standard for reliability, the 5m walk test is often used in confined spaces. Use the "Custom" toggle in our calculator to input 5m for accurate m/s calculation.

What is the MCID for gait speed in stroke patients?

The Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) is typically **0.16 m/s**. Improvement above this threshold signifies a meaningful functional recovery.

Clinical Bibliography
  • 1. Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy. Clinical Practice Guideline for Core Outcome Measures. 2020.
  • 2. Perry J, et al. Classification of walking handicap in the stroke population. 1995.
Dr. Nikhil Mahajan, PT
MPT-Ortho | Clinical Reviewer
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