Walking Speed Could Be a New Indicator of Health

Contact: Sarah Avery Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] https://www.dukehealth.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE on Wednesday, May 4, 2016
DURHAM, N.C. — Walking speed is making strides toward becoming a key metric of a person’s health with the launch of the 6th Vital Sign, a first-of-its kind study being conducted by the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). 
The Duke research team is asking volunteers to download a free ResearchKit app from the Apple iTunes store, answer some questions and then take a two-minute stroll. The app securely uploads walking speed captured on a phone along with demographic data to calculate a reliable and personalized health measure. 
“Walking speed is recognized, yet underutilized, as a measure and predictor of a person’s health. It can be used as a vital sign much like blood pressure, temperature, heart and breathing rate and pain,” said study team leader Janet Prvu Bettger, ScD, an associate professor and director of health policy and implementation science in Duke’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Vital signs measure the body’s basic functions and should be easy to measure at home, in a hospital or at a health clinic. “Mobility, or a person’s ability to move, reflects the health of all of our body’s systems,” Bettger said. On the other hand, immobility impacts a person’s muscles, heart, digestive system, joints, and even mood. 
“As a 6th Vital Sign, walking speed can be used to track a person’s recove...

Source: DukeHealth.org: Duke Health Features - May 4, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Tags: Duke Medicine Source Type: news