Key result
The 6-minute walk test distance, combined with sex, age, physical activity level, and body fat mass, explained 75% of the variance in measured VO2max (p < 0.001).
Why the study?
The study aimed to evaluate the criterion-related validity and reliability of the 6-minute walk test for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness across sex, age, and physical activity levels in adults.
Does the 6-minute walk test validly and reliably assess cardiorespiratory fitness in adults aged 18-64 years?
Cross-Sectional (n=410)
Does the 6-minute walk test validly and reliably assess cardiorespiratory fitness in adults aged 18-64 years?
Effect estimate: R2 = 0.75
p-value: p=< 0.001
The 6-minute walk test is a valid and reliable tool for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) in adults aged 18-64 years.
6MWT offers moderate CRF estimation in adults; leaves open its clinical adoption pending randomized validation.
This study aimed to analyse the criterion-related validity and reliability of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to assess cardiorespiratory fitness in the adult population, according to sex, age and physical activity level. Sociodemographic and anthropometric measurements, a treadmill maximal test, and the 6MWT were performed on 410 adults aged 18-64 years. Measured VO2max was associated with the total distance in the 6MWT and estimated VO2max by Burr's and Manttari's equations (R2 = 0.35, 0.61 and 0.61, respectively, all p < 0.01; SEE = 6.564-5.089 ml* kg-1 * min-1, %SEE = 11.80-15.30). The stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the total distance in the 6MWT, sex, age, physical activity level and body fat mass (%) explained 75% variance of measured VO2max (SEE = 4.203 ml* kg-1 * min-1, %SEE = 9.78, p < 0.001). The systematic error in the total distance in the 6MWT was 0.87-m (p < 0.001). The ICC showed excellent agreement (0.99, p < 0.001), with low error values and most of the MCD95 close to 0.
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Castro‐Piñero et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiorespiratory fitness assessment (n=410). 6-minute walk test (6MWT) vs. Treadmill maximal test was evaluated on Measured VO2max (R2 = 0.75, p=< 0.001). The 6-minute walk test distance, combined with sex, age, physical activity level, and body fat mass, explained 75% of the variance in measured VO2max (p < 0.001).
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