Research Article
Determining the Cut off Value of 10 Meter Walk Test for Fall Risk in Older Adults
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
64-68
Received:
3 October 2025
Accepted:
13 October 2025
Published:
24 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijdsa.20261204.11
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Abstract: Falls among older adults lead to severe outcomes, including injury, reduced activity, diminished quality of life, heightened fear of falling, and even mortality. Standard clinical tests such as the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) evaluate fall risk but are multi-component and time-intensive. The 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) offers a quick and feasible alternative, though a validated cut-off value for fall risk in older adults remains unestablished. Sixty-eight older adults were included based on predefined criteria. Informed consent, demographic information, and physical assessments (height, weight for Body Mass Index- BMI calculation) were collected. The 10MWT and BBS were administered to evaluate walking speed and fall risk. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v20.0 the demographic data were represented as their mean and standard deviation. The association between 10MWT and BBS was discovered using Pearson's correlation test. The optimal cut-off point for the 10MWT speed that predicts fall risk in older individuals was found using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve Analysis. The average age of the participants was found to be 73.43 years. A significant moderate correlation was observed between 10MWT and BBS scores, with Pearson’s coefficient r=0.418 (p = 0.000). The optimal walking speed cut-off for fall risk was identified at 1.24 m/s, with sensitivity and specificity values of 71.4% and 68.1%, respectively.
Abstract: Falls among older adults lead to severe outcomes, including injury, reduced activity, diminished quality of life, heightened fear of falling, and even mortality. Standard clinical tests such as the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) evaluate fall risk but are multi-component and time-intensive. The 10-Meter...
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,
Aditi Tiwari
