Percentile model and usual gait speed reference values in Colombian older adults: a secondary analysis of the Survey on Health, Wellbeing, and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (SABE).

Abstract

Introduction Gait speed is a simple and clinically relevant indicator of physical function in older adults; however, population-specific reference values are needed for its interpretation. This study aimed to establish reference values and a percentile model for usual gait speed among community-dwelling Colombian older adults and to examine factors associated with slow gait speed. Methods Data from 11,945 community-dwelling older adults participating in the Survey on Health, Wellbeing, and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (SABE) were analyzed. Slow gait speed was defined as <0.8 m/s. Univariate associations between gait speed and age, sex, height, calf circumference, waist circumference, and urban/rural residence were examined. Reference percentiles for gait speed were modeled using Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS), incorporating age, sex, height, calf circumference, waist circumference, and body mass index. Model selection was guided by Q statistics and the Generalized Akaike Information Criterion (GAIC). Results Gait speed ranged from 0.6 to 1.4 m/s, with a mean of 0.79 m/s and a median of 0.76 m/s. Slow gait speed was more frequent among female than male participants (56% of those with slow gait speed were female). Participants with slow gait speed were older than those without slow gait speed (69.21 vs. 67.53 years). Slow gait speed was significantly associated with older age, female sex, shorter height, lower calf circumference, higher waist circumference, and rural residence. Height accounted for a substantial proportion of the sex-related differences in gait speed, particularly among the oldest participants. Discussion This study provides population-specific reference values and percentile estimates for usual gait speed among community-dwelling Colombian older adults. The findings highlight the importance of considering anthropometric characteristics, particularly height, when interpreting sex-related differences in gait speed. These normative values may facilitate the clinical interpretation of gait speed and support assessment and intervention planning in the Colombian older population.