Four-meter gait speed predicts daily physical activity in patients with chronic respiratory diseases

Abstract Background Physical activity measures are valuable for assessing the progression of chronic respiratory diseases. The 4-m gait speed (4MGS) test is an established functional assessment in the elderly. However, the relationship between the 4MGS and daily activity in patients with chronic respiratory diseases has not been fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate whether the 4MGS predicted daily activity, including physical activity level (PAL), in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Methods We enrolled 57 patients with chronic respiratory diseases, including interstitial lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and evaluated the correlations between the 4MGS and various clinical parameters, including respiratory function, the 6-min walk test (6MWT), and daily activities, by using an accelerometer. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify significant predictors of daily activity. Results The 4MGS was significantly correlated with daily step counts and PAL, as well as the 6 min walk distance (r = 0.477, p  Conclusions The 4MGS test is a simple screening test and a useful predictor of worsening daily activity in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.