Speed Testing: 40m Fast Paced Walk Test

A client may walk safely at a comfortable pace but still struggle when asked to move quickly.

Fast-paced walking can provide useful information about functional capacity, confidence, lower-limb symptoms, balance, endurance and the ability to increase walking speed when needed. In daily life, this may matter when crossing a road, keeping up with others, navigating busy environments or returning to higher-level walking tasks.

The 40m Fast Paced Walk Test provides a practical way to assess fast walking speed over a fixed distance.

Quick Summary

• Test name: 40m Fast Paced Walk Test
• Also known as: 40 metre Fast-Paced Walk Test, 40m FPWT, 4 x 10m Fast Walk Test
• Purpose: Assess fast-paced walking speed over a fixed distance
• What it assesses: Walking speed, functional mobility, lower-limb capacity, confidence, symptom response and ability to walk quickly
• Equipment required: 10m walkway, cones or markers, stopwatch or timing gates, tape measure, Measurz recording system
• Key finding: Time to complete 40m and calculated walking speed in m/s
• Best used with: 30-second chair stand, stair climb test, Timed Up and Go, 6-minute walk test, gait speed, balance tests and lower-limb strength tests
• Key limitation: Results are influenced by walkway setup, turning method, footwear, walking aid use, symptoms, instructions, timing method and whether the pace is fast or self-selected

What Is the 40m Fast Paced Walk Test?

The 40m Fast Paced Walk Test is a fixed-distance walking test.

The client walks as quickly and safely as possible over a total distance of 40 metres. A common setup uses a 10 metre walkway completed four times, usually with turns at each end.

The result is usually recorded as:

• time to complete 40m
• walking speed in metres per second
• use of walking aid
• symptoms
• gait quality
• turning strategy
• reason for stopping if incomplete

Because the test can be performed with different walkway layouts and timing methods, professionals should always record exactly how it was performed.

Why the Test Is Used

The test is used because fast walking speed provides practical information about mobility performance.

It may be useful for:

• monitoring walking capacity
• assessing ability to increase walking speed
• tracking progress over time
• supporting lower-limb functional assessment
• monitoring symptom response during faster walking
• assessing physical function in hip or knee osteoarthritis contexts
• comparing baseline and retest performance
• adding a walking-speed measure alongside strength and balance tests

A client may perform well in isolated strength tests but still walk slowly or cautiously when asked to move quickly. The 40m Fast Paced Walk Test adds a functional walking performance measure.

What the Test Measures

The 40m Fast Paced Walk Test measures fast-paced walking performance over a fixed distance.

It may reflect:

• gait speed
• lower-limb strength contribution
• balance confidence
• coordination
• walking efficiency
• pain or symptom response
• cardiorespiratory contribution
• turning ability if a 4 x 10m course is used
• walking aid use
• fatigue over a short distance

It does not directly measure:

• diagnosis
• isolated muscle strength
• joint range of motion
• fall risk by itself
• endurance over longer distances
• maximum running speed
• overall independence by itself
• return-to-sport or return-to-work readiness by itself

A faster time is useful only when the protocol and walking quality are also considered.

Who the Test Is Useful For

The 40m Fast Paced Walk Test may be useful for:

• people with hip or knee osteoarthritis
• older adults
• people with lower-limb symptoms
• clients with reduced walking confidence
• clients returning to faster walking
• rehabilitation and exercise clients
• people with mobility goals
• clients who need to walk quickly in daily life
• health, fitness and support professionals tracking functional change

It may also be useful when a 10m or Timed Up and Go test is too short or does not provide enough challenge.

Equipment Required

You will need:

• measured 10m walkway or suitable 40m pathway
• cones or markers
• stopwatch, timing app or timing gates
• tape measure or measuring wheel
• stable walking surface
• Measurz or MAT recording system

Optional equipment:

• gait belt if required and within scope
• walking aid if normally used
• chair for rest before and after testing
• pain scale
• RPE or fatigue scale
• video recording for gait review
• notes field for symptoms, turning strategy and walking aid use

Step-by-Step Protocol

Starting Position

Position the client at the start line.

Record:

• footwear
• walking aid use
• start type
• standing balance before the test
• whether the client starts from still standing
• whether timing starts on “go” or first movement

Use the same start method for every retest.

Equipment Setup

Set up a measured walking course.

A common protocol uses:

• 10m walkway
• markers at each end
• four lengths of 10m
• total walking distance of 40m
• safe turning space at each end

Record:

• walkway length
• total distance
• surface
• indoor or outdoor setting
• timing method
• turning instructions
• walking aid use
• rest before the test
• safety considerations

Test Instructions

Explain and demonstrate the task before starting.

Example instruction:

“When I say go, walk as quickly and safely as you can to the marker, turn around, and continue until you have completed the full 40 metres. Do not run.”

Make sure the client understands:

• they should walk fast but safely
• running is not allowed
• turning method should be safe
• walking aid use should remain consistent
• they should continue through the finish
• they can stop if symptoms are not tolerated

Test Movement

Ask the client to walk the full 40m distance as quickly and safely as possible.

Watch for:

• unsafe speed
• loss of balance
• turning difficulty
• pain or symptoms
• shortness of breath
• reduced step length
• limping
• use of walking aid
• slowing over the test
• stopping or hesitation
• inconsistent turning strategy

Stop testing if the task becomes unsafe or symptoms are not tolerated.

Trials

Complete one trial if the client is fatigued or symptoms are a concern.

Complete two or more trials where appropriate and safe, with rest between attempts.

Record whether the final result is:

• first trial
• best trial
• average trial
• assisted or unassisted
• with or without walking aid
• 4 x 10m course or straight 40m path

Use the same scoring method each time.

Scoring and Interpretation

Scoring usually includes:

• time to complete 40m
• walking speed in metres per second
• walking aid use
• pain score
• fatigue rating
• symptoms
• gait quality
• turning quality
• reason for stopping if incomplete

Walking speed can be calculated as:

Walking speed = 40 ÷ time in seconds

For example, if a client completes the test in 32 seconds:

40 ÷ 32 = 1.25 m/s

A lower time and higher m/s value generally indicate faster walking performance.

However, interpretation should consider:

• safety
• walking quality
• use of walking aid
• pain or symptoms
• turning strategy
• surface
• footwear
• whether the test was fast-paced or self-paced
• whether the same protocol was used at retest

A meaningful result is stronger when:

• the same walkway is used
• timing method is consistent
• instructions are consistent
• walking aid use is recorded
• pain and symptoms are documented
• turns are standardised
• the result is compared to baseline or repeated measures
• the test is paired with other lower-limb assessments

The result should not be used as a stand-alone measure of overall function.

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

The 40m Fast Paced Walk Test is included in OARSI-recommended performance-based tests for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

Reference values depend on:

• population
• age
• diagnosis or symptom group
• walking aid use
• course layout
• timing method
• pace instruction
• whether turns are included

A practical interpretation approach:

• Faster time / higher m/s: better fast-walking performance under the tested setup
• Slower time / lower m/s: reduced fast-walking performance under the tested setup
• Improvement over time: useful if setup and instructions are consistent
• Pain or symptom increase: important context, even if speed improves
• Reduced turning confidence: relevant when using a 4 x 10m course
• Walking aid change: should be interpreted separately from speed change

For many clients, the most useful comparisons are:

• baseline score
• repeat testing
• walking speed in m/s
• pain and symptoms
• walking aid use
• related sit-to-stand, stair and balance tests
• goals that require faster walking

Use normative data only when the protocol and population match.

Reliability and Validity

Fixed-distance walk tests up to 40m show generally good measurement properties when protocols are standardised.

Reliability and validity depend on:

• course distance accuracy
• timing method
• pace instruction
• starting protocol
• walking surface
• turn setup
• footwear
• walking aid use
• practice trial
• rest between trials
• assessor instructions

The OARSI recommended performance-based test set includes the 40m Fast Paced Walk Test as one of the core physical function tests for hip and knee osteoarthritis contexts.

A narrative review of fixed-distance walk tests in knee osteoarthritis reported good measurement properties for walk tests of distances up to 40m, including fast- and self-paced protocols.

Reliability improves when:

• the same course is used
• the same pace instruction is used
• the same start protocol is used
• turns are standardised
• the same timing method is used
• walking aid use is recorded
• symptoms are recorded
• retesting uses the same setup

Sensitivity and Specificity

Sensitivity and specificity are not usually applicable for routine Measurz use of the 40m Fast Paced Walk Test.

This is a performance outcome measure, not a stand-alone diagnostic or screening test.

It can support walking performance assessment and progress tracking, but it should not be used by itself to diagnose a condition, predict falls, classify neurological status, clear a client for sport or determine overall independence.

Common Errors and Testing Limitations

Common testing errors include:

• using different course lengths between sessions
• changing from fast-paced to self-paced walking
• not recording walking aid use
• changing footwear
• timing one session by stopwatch and another by timing gates
• not recording whether turns were included
• not allowing safe turning space
• not recording pain or symptoms
• not recording fatigue
• comparing results to norms from a different protocol
• using the result as a diagnosis

Key limitations include:

• results are protocol-dependent
• turning affects performance in a 4 x 10m setup
• symptoms can change walking speed
• walking aid use changes interpretation
• outdoor surface and weather can affect results
• stopwatch timing introduces error
• motivation and confidence influence pace
• the test does not explain why speed changed
• the test should be interpreted with other assessments

Practical Applications

The 40m Fast Paced Walk Test can be used as part of a broader mobility profile.

It may help professionals:

• monitor fast walking speed
• track progress over time
• assess ability to increase walking pace
• monitor symptoms during faster walking
• support hip and knee osteoarthritis functional assessment
• compare walking speed with sit-to-stand and stair performance
• guide walking or conditioning goals
• support mobility confidence tracking
• add objective performance data to client goals

For older adults, it may provide useful information about faster walking capacity.

For people with hip or knee symptoms, it can help track physical function over time.

For fitness clients, it may provide a simple walking-speed measure when sprinting or running is not appropriate.

How to Record This in Measurz

In Measurz, record enough detail so the result can be repeated accurately.

Useful fields include:

• test name
• total distance
• course setup
• 4 x 10m or straight 40m
• timing method
• time in seconds
• calculated speed in m/s
• trial number
• best or average result
• footwear
• walking aid use
• surface
• indoor or outdoor
• pain score
• symptom location
• fatigue or RPE
• turning quality
• gait-quality notes
• reason for stopping
• comparison to previous sessions

A strong note might look like:

“40m Fast Paced Walk Test. 4 x 10m indoor flat corridor, trainers, no walking aid. Fast safe walk, no running. Time: 31.6 s. Speed: 1.27 m/s. Mild right knee discomfort 2/10 after final turn. No loss of balance. Retest same setup.”

This is more useful than simply writing “40m walk completed”.

Related Tests or Internal Linking Suggestions

Useful related assessments include:

• 10m Walk Test
• 6 Minute Walk Test
• Timed Up and Go
• 30 Second Chair Stand Test
• Sit To Stand - 30 secs
• Stair Climb Test
• Bed Mobility – Supine To Standing
• Single-Leg Balance
• Gait Speed
• Running Gait Checklist
• Step-Up Test
• Sprint Test

FAQs

What does the 40m Fast Paced Walk Test measure?

It measures how quickly a client can walk 40 metres at a fast but safe walking pace.

Is running allowed?

No. The client should walk as quickly and safely as possible without running.

How is the score calculated?

Record the time in seconds. Walking speed can be calculated by dividing 40 by the time in seconds.

Why use a 4 x 10m course?

A 4 x 10m course allows the test to be completed in a smaller space, but it includes turns, which should be recorded because turning can affect performance.

Should a walking aid be allowed?

If the client normally uses a walking aid, it may be appropriate to test with it. Record the aid clearly and keep it consistent across sessions.

Is the 40m Fast Paced Walk Test diagnostic?

No. It is a performance outcome measure and should not be used alone to diagnose a condition.

How many trials should be completed?

One or more trials may be used depending on fatigue, symptoms and the purpose of testing. Record whether the score is the first, best or average trial.

How should progress be tracked?

Use the same course, pace instruction, timing method, footwear, walking aid and scoring method across sessions.

Key Takeaways

• The 40m Fast Paced Walk Test assesses fast walking speed over a fixed distance.
• It is part of the OARSI recommended performance-based test set for hip and knee osteoarthritis contexts.
• Results are highly dependent on setup, pace instruction, turning, timing method and walking aid use.
• Walking speed is calculated as 40 divided by time in seconds.
• Normative values should only be used when the protocol and population match.
• Measurz should capture course setup, time, speed, symptoms, walking aid use, turns and progress over time.

References

Dobson, F., Hinman, R. S., Hall, M., Terwee, C. B., Roos, E. M., & Bennell, K. L. (2013). OARSI recommended performance-based tests to assess physical function in people diagnosed with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 21(8), 1042–1052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2013.05.002

Elbaz, A., Debbi, E. M., Segal, G., Haim, A., Halperin, N., Agar, G., Mor, A., & Debi, R. (2014). Sex and body mass index correlate with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and quality of life scores in knee osteoarthritis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 95(12), 2372–2378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.06.014

Osteoarthritis Research Society International. (2013). Recommended performance-based tests to assess physical function in people diagnosed with hip or knee osteoarthritis: Manual. OARSI.

Tolk, J. J., Janssen, R. P. A., Prinsen, C. A. C., Latijnhouwers, D. A. J. M., van der Steen, M. C. M., Bierma-Zeinstra, S. M. A., & Reijman, M. (2021). Measurement properties of fixed-distance walk tests in knee osteoarthritis: A narrative review. The Journal of Rheumatology, 48(5), 638–645. https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200771

Yamada, M., Ichihashi, N., Kawai, H., Shimada, H., & Suzuki, T. (2011). The effect of the starting protocol on walking speed. Gait & Posture, 33(3), 519–521.