---
title: Gait speed norms (older adults)
type: concept
last_updated: 2026-04-25
sources:
  - code/kb_loader/data/clinical/gait_norms.json
status: settled
---

# Gait speed norms (Bohannon 2011)

Reference values for healthy older-adult gait speed, age- and sex-stratified. Used by the MCR rule (≥1 SD below mean ⇒ "slow gait").

| Age band | Sex     | Mean (m/s) | SD   |
|----------|---------|------------|------|
| 60–69    | Male    | 1.34       | 0.17 |
| 60–69    | Female  | 1.24       | 0.17 |
| 70–79    | Male    | 1.26       | 0.18 |
| 70–79    | Female  | 1.13       | 0.17 |
| 80–89    | Male    | 0.97       | 0.19 |
| 80–89    | Female  | 0.94       | 0.18 |

Source: Bohannon RW, 2011, systematic review.

## Caveat

These norms are predominantly Western cohort data. Applicability to Chinese community-dwelling older adults needs validation; the [clinical database](../entities/clinical_database_capital_medical.md) may eventually provide local norms.

## Used by

- [MCR criteria](mcr_criteria.md)
- [Motor-cognitive agent](../agents/motor_cognitive_agent.md)
- [`code/kb_loader/data/clinical/gait_norms.json`](../../code/kb_loader/data/clinical/gait_norms.json)