Determination of reference values of figure of 8 walk walk test in healthy adults

OBJECTIVE: The Figure-8 Walk Test (F8WT) is a standardized clinical assessment used to evaluate walking performance, including straight walking and maneuvering around obstacles, as required in daily life. The aim of this study was to establish reference values for the F8WT in healthy adults. METHODS: A total of 1,145 healthy Turkish adults participated in this cross-sectional study. Individuals aged ≥ 18 years who were able to walk independently without assistive devices were included. Participants with a history of neurological, musculoskeletal, or cardiopulmonary disorders affecting gait, recent lower extremity injury or surgery, or cognitive impairment were excluded. The F8WT was administered, and anthropometric as well as sociodemographic parameters were recorded. RESULTS: The 25th, 25th-75th, and > 75th percentiles were classified as low, average, and high fall risk for both men and women based on F8WT performance. For men, < 3.06 s indicated low fall risk, 3.06-9.34 s indicated average fall risk, and 9.34-22.31 s indicated high fall risk. For women, < 2.41 s indicated low fall risk, 2.41-8.43 s indicated average fall risk, and 8.43-16.06 s indicated high fall risk. Statistically significant differences were observed between men and women in terms of age, height, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.01). In the overall sample, F8WT performance was significantly correlated with age (r = 0.575, p < 0.001), height (r = -0.145, p < 0.001), weight (r = 0.242, p < 0.001), and BMI (r = 0.359, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides reference values for the F8WT according to age and sex in healthy adults. Women demonstrated shorter F8WT completion times than men, and test duration increased with advancing age. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT06314347.