I am scared, i am generally a slow walker, no matter how hard I try, I am most of the time unable to keep pace with the average person on the street.

Timing a 10-meter walk, which provides a snapshot of gait velocity, is considered a scientifically reliable and valid test that works like a crystal ball to see everything from future health status to mortality. This test of self-selected walking speed (the directions to the patient are simple: "Walk as fast as you feel safe and comfortable") is safe, cost-effective (it takes just a few minutes), easy to learn and administer, and the results are easy to interpret.

Once you've established a patient's speed of ambulation, what does it mean?

• The normal range for walking is 1.2 to 1.4 meters per second.

• If patients walk 10m in 50 seconds (that is 0.4 mph), they would be considered household ambulators.

• If patients walk 10m between 17 and 25 seconds (that is 0.92-1.3 mph), they are limited community ambulators.

• If patients walk 10 m between 12.5-10 seconds (that would be 1.8-2.2 mph), they are community ambulators.

• If patients walk 10 m in less than seven seconds (that would be more than 3 mph), they have the ability to cross a street. This is considered normal walking speed.

What is remarkable about testing gait speed is how much it reveals about patients. Here is a list of possible conclusions:

• A decline in gait speed predicts a decline in attention.

• An increase in gait speed predicts a substantial decline in mortality, while a decrease in gait speed predicts an increased chance of mortality.

• Gait speed correlates well with functional ability, future health status and the patient's confidence in balance.

• Gait speed predicts where discharge will take place (e.g., home, SNF), the chance of hospitalization, and an increase in medical costs, disability and mortality.

• Gait speed predicts the need for rehabilitation.

• Gait speed can be used to determine the effectiveness of a particular rehabilitation treatment option.

• Gait speed can be used as a surrogate for quality of gait; the faster the walking, generally speaking, the higher the quality of gait.

Also, as any therapist knows, gait speed is modifiable. Walking speed is not only predictive of decline, it can also predict improvement.

Being a 'fast walker' is so boring and inappropriate! I am trying to get rid of the habit.

But when you walk with 'Zen', you may disappear like Enoch.

it's a good habit.you avoid a lot of things on the streets and get things done on time.

My friend (real friend and not me) told me he has gadget that he was told to use by a doc to count the number of steps he makes, and he should be making 10,000 steps in a day.