NIH SPPB walking procedure
From a standing start, walk at usual pace. Start timing when the first foot begins moving across the start line; stop when a foot has fully crossed the finish line. A usual walking aid is permitted. If two trials are recorded, the lower (faster) time is selected.
Calculation
Speed = exact course length in metres ÷ selected seconds. Feet/second is metres/second × 3.280839895. Distance, aid, and timing procedure affect comparison between attempts. This page reports measurement only—no universal normal grade or diagnosis.
Original NIH SPPB v1.2 protocol (PDF). For the protocol-specific component score, use the complete SPPB.
Safety: Have another person close enough to assist. Stop if the person becomes unsteady, needs support, or has concerning symptoms. This educational recording tool is not a diagnosis and does not predict whether a particular person will fall.