The 400 Meter WalkThe 400 Meter Walk

Equipment NeedsEquipment Needs

Participant Safety and Stopping CriteriaParticipant Safety and Stopping Criteria

Course PreparationCourse Preparation

Instruction for AdministrationInstruction for Administration

IntroductionIntroduction

The 400 Meter Walk is the primary The 400 Meter Walk is the primary outcome measure for the LIFE study. This outcome measure for the LIFE study. This test is a measure of functional ability. Its test is a measure of functional ability. Its potential as a predictor of morbidity and potential as a predictor of morbidity and future disability makes it an important future disability makes it an important outcome measure for cross sectional, outcome measure for cross sectional, longitudinal and clinical intervention trials. longitudinal and clinical intervention trials.

Equipment NeedsEquipment Needs

Redi-Measure distance measuring wheel

Small Traffic Cones

Stop Watch

2 Standard Chairs

Safety Issues and Safety Issues and Stopping Criteria:Stopping Criteria:

Flat and soft soled shoesFlat and soft soled shoes Do not feel safeDo not feel safe Pain, tightness or pressure in chestPain, tightness or pressure in chest Significant shortness of breathSignificant shortness of breath Difficulty breathingDifficulty breathing Feeling faint, lightheaded or dizzy Feeling faint, lightheaded or dizzy Test duration over 15 minutesTest duration over 15 minutes

Course PreparationCourse Preparation

Course Length 20 Meters

Cones placed at ends of course

Ten Laps Performed

Chairs placed at ends of course

Preparing the ParticipantPreparing the Participant Read script on Read script on

instructions for testinstructions for test Repeat instructions if Repeat instructions if

necessary, but DO necessary, but DO NOT alter the scriptNOT alter the script

Ask participant to Ask participant to attempt test without attempt test without the use of an the use of an assistive deviceassistive device

Test AdministrationTest Administration Demonstrate one lapDemonstrate one lap Begin timing as subject Begin timing as subject

crosses linecrosses line Follow subject at close Follow subject at close

distancedistance Provide encouragementProvide encouragement End test as subject’s first End test as subject’s first

foot crosses linefoot crosses line Rate difficulty of Rate difficulty of

breathing (BORG index)breathing (BORG index) Determine heart rate Determine heart rate

(sitting radial pulse)(sitting radial pulse)

Test ConclusionTest Conclusion

Participant completes 400 meter courseParticipant completes 400 meter course Participant requires rest stop longer than 60 Participant requires rest stop longer than 60

secondsseconds Standing 30 seconds: Prompt to continueStanding 30 seconds: Prompt to continue Standing 60 seconds: Prompt to continueStanding 60 seconds: Prompt to continue

Participant needs to sit downParticipant needs to sit down Mark point at which test is stopped with traffic Mark point at which test is stopped with traffic

cone for later measurementcone for later measurement Stop stopwatch when test is terminatedStop stopwatch when test is terminated Assist participant to comfortable location while Assist participant to comfortable location while

they recoverthey recover

Rest StopsRest Stops

No limit to number of rest stopsNo limit to number of rest stops Remember participant safety criteria for Remember participant safety criteria for

conclusion of testingconclusion of testing Note reason for ending test in data Note reason for ending test in data

collection form along with time and collection form along with time and distancedistance

The 400 Meter Walk TestThe 400 Meter Walk Test

Read manual of operations for all Read manual of operations for all functional testingfunctional testing

Practice on fellow staff members Practice on fellow staff members simulating various degrees of impairmentsimulating various degrees of impairment Fill out data collection form accuratelyFill out data collection form accurately