%0 Journal Article %J Journal of Applied Gerontology %D 2022 %T A Matched Cohort Analysis for Examining the Association Between Slow Gait Speed and Shortened Longevity in Older Americans %A McGrath, Brenda M %A Johnson, Pamela Jo %A McGrath, Ryan %A Cawthon, Peggy M %A Klawitter, Lukus %A Choi, Bong-Jin %K Aging %K Epidemiology %K Geriatric Assessment %K Physical Functional Performance %K walk test %X

This investigation examined the association between slow gait speed, as defined with newly established cut-points, and all-cause mortality in older Americans with a matched cohort analysis. The analytic sample included 10,259 Americans aged ≥65 years from the 2006-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Walking speed was measured in participant residences. Slow gait speed cut-points of <0.60 and <0.75 m/s were used separately for classifying participants as having slow walking speed. Nearest-neighbor propensity score matching was used to match the slow to the not-slow cohorts separately using both cut-points using relevant covariates. Persons with gait speed <0.60 m/s had a 1.42 higher hazard for mortality (95% CI: 1.28-1.57). Older Americans with gait speed <0.75 m/s had a 1.36 higher hazard for mortality (95% CI: 1.23-1.50). Slow gait speed may represent failing health and addressing how slow gait speed could be improved may help with referrals to appropriate interventions.

%B Journal of Applied Gerontology %V 41 %P 1905-1913 %G eng %N 8 %R 10.1177/07334648221092399