Walking speed and distance requirements for functional community ambulation in Singapore

Background: Achieving community ambulation is a common goal for many patients seeking to improve their quality of life. Rehabilitation professionals are tasked with preparing patients to meet the demands of their environment. In Singapore, rapid infrastructural development over the past two decades could alter these environmental challenges and affect functional community ambulation.

Objectives: This study aims to provide current recommendations of distance, step count and speed requirements for therapists to determine their patients’ suitability for community ambulation in Singapore, as well as to deepen understanding of current environmental barriers and enablers.

Methods: A quantitative surveillance data collection was conducted on 510 public housing blocks sampled across the country (North, North-East, Central, East and West sectors) to determine ambulation requirements for accessing five essential amenities of daily living (eatery, clinic, grocery, automated teller machine and public transport). Measurements of distance, step count and number of obstacles encountered en route to each amenity were collected. Walking speed was calculated by measuring the length and time allocated for traffic junction crossings.

Results: The average distance to amenities was found to be 294.3m, with 441 steps taken. Public transport was the nearest amenity (190.8m), while grocery stores were the furthest (382.7m). There was a significant variation in the distance to reach amenities (ranging from 10.0m to 1611.2m). The most common obstacles encountered were curbs and stairs. The average walking speed to cross traffic junctions safely was 0.74m/s.

Conclusion: This study aids rehabilitation professionals in better understanding Singapore’s urban landscape and planning realistic rehabilitation goals with their clients to achieve functional community ambulation.