Key result
The 6-minute walk test is a moderate to high-intensity test in healthy adults, with peak VO2 in cardiopulmonary exercise testing adequately predicted by 6MWT peak VO2 (R2 = 0.76).
Why the study?
Physiological responses to the 6MWT have been increasingly evaluated in cardiopulmonary disease, but previous studies had not included healthy individuals.
What are the reference values and physiological responses for the 6-min walk test in healthy middle-aged and older adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=132)
What are the reference values and physiological responses for the 6-min walk test in healthy middle-aged and older adults?
Effect estimate: R2 = 0.76
The 6MWT is a moderate to high-intensity test in healthy middle-aged and older adults, and its physiological responses can be predicted using anthropometrics and demographics.
Reference equations for 6MWT responses in healthy adults may aid interpretation; leaves open validation in cardiopulmonary disease.
Introduction: Physiological responses to the 6-min walk test (6MWT) have been increasingly evaluated in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. However, previous studies did not include healthy persons. Objective: To evaluate the intensity of 6MWT, to develop a series of predictive equations for the physiological variables and to test their reliability in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Method: We evaluated 102 non-trained healthy adults (54 women, aged 61 ± 10 years) and a cross-validation sample of 30 participants. We measured physiological responses to the 6MWT and a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a treadmill. Results: The R2 values for regression analysis adjusted by age, body mass, stature, and sex ranged from 0.25 for heart rate and 0.46 for peak V ˙ O 2 The 6MWT distance and 6MWT peak V ˙ O 2 represented 110 ± 10% and 102 ± 15% of the predicted values, respectively, using our equations. The intensity of 6MWT corresponded to 72 ± 13% of the peak O2 and 78 ± 23% of the peak HR in the CPET. Peak V ˙ O 2 in the CPET was adequately predicted by 6MWT peak V ˙ O 2 (R2 = 0.76) and 6MWD (R2 = 0.54). Conclusion: The 6MWT represents a moderate to high-intensity test in middle-aged and older healthy adults and is valid for assessing maximal aerobic exercise capacity. Physiological responses to the 6MWT may be adequately predicted with a combination of anthropometrics and demographics.
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Sperandio et al. (2019) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (n=132). 6-minute walk test (6MWT) vs. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was evaluated on Prediction of peak VO2 in CPET by 6MWT peak VO2 (R2 = 0.76). The 6-minute walk test is a moderate to high-intensity test in healthy adults, with peak VO2 in cardiopulmonary exercise testing adequately predicted by 6MWT peak VO2 (R2 = 0.76).
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