Abstract
The present study was conducted to examine the validity and reliability of the Figure-of-Eight Walk test in which participants were asked to walk at theirmaximum speed (F8Wmax). The subjects were 85 elderly people living in the community. They underwent the following tests, and scores and measurements were determined:theF8 Wmax (time and number of steps required to finish the course), grip strength, sit-up,forward-bending in the sitting position, standing on one foot with the eyes closed, walking along a 10-m course with obstructions, walking speed test, strength of the quadriceps,TUG (Timed Up and Go), and FRT (functional reach test). The validity and reliability of the F8Wmax were examined using Pearsonʼs and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC),respectively. Both the time and number of steps in the F8Wmax were significantly correlated with the time in the 10-m obstruction walking test and TUG. The ICCs of the time and number of steps required in the F8Wmax were 0.89 and 0.88, respectively. The reliability and validity of the F8Wmax, designed to assess the physical fitness of the elderly living in the community, have been established.
