Validation of Self-Reported Gait Speed and Grip Strength Measures With Objective Measures in Older Adults With Mild Frailty in England

Chen, Z, Rookes, T, Walters, K, Frost, R ORCID: 0000-0003-3523-0052, Kalwarowsky, S and Marston, L (2026) Validation of Self-Reported Gait Speed and Grip Strength Measures With Objective Measures in Older Adults With Mild Frailty in England. Journal of Aging Research, 2026 (1). ISSN 2090-2204

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Clinical research often relies on in-person assessments, which can limit participation among frailer older adults who have difficulty attending clinical settings. Developing valid self-reported alternatives could improve inclusivity. We aimed to validate self-reported gait speed and grip strength against objective measures in adults aged ≥ 65 with mild frailty participating in the HomeHealth trial. METHODS: Participants with paired subjective and objective gait speed and/or grip strength measures were included. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha for gait speed (4 items) and grip strength (2 items), stratified by sex. Criterion validity was evaluated using sensitivity and specificity of self-reported measures to identify frailty (Fried phenotype thresholds). Construct validity was examined through regression analyses with instrumental activities of daily living and quality of life outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 254 participants were included (161 females, 93 males). Sensitivity and specificity for detecting slow gait speed were 65.5% and 65.8% in men and 79.5% and 59.0% in women. For weak grip strength, sensitivity and specificity were 23.0% and 66.7% in men and 49.3% and 93.3% in women. Internal consistency was low (α = 0.314-0.574 across measures). Construct validity was moderate, with expected associations observed for functional and quality of life outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported gait speed and grip strength measures demonstrated limited validity compared with objective assessments in older adults with mild frailty and should be used cautiously as substitutes for measuring weakness and slowness in this population. Trial Registration: ISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN54268283.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	activities of daily living; ageing; frailty; trial; validation; activities of daily living; ageing; frailty; trial; validation; 4201 Allied Health and Rehabilitation Science; 4203 Health Services and Systems; 42 Health Sciences; Aging; Clinical Research; Physical Activity; Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities; Rehabilitation; Behavioral and Social Science; 3 Good Health and Well Being; 1103 Clinical Sciences; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 3202 Clinical sciences; 4202 Epidemiology; 4206 Public health
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Nursing, Public and Allied Health
Publisher:	Wiley
Date of acceptance:	26 September 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	26 October 2026
Date Deposited:	26 Oct 2026 14:40
Last Modified:	26 Oct 2026 14:40
DOI or ID number:	10.1155/jare/1775375
Editors:	HAN, CY
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29748

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