Validity and Reproducibility of a Modified Six-Minute Walk Test in Libyan Adolescents With Intellectual Disability

Background: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for assessing cardiovascular fitness in adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID).Objectives: To assess the reproducibility and validity of a modified 6MWT (with continuous encouragement) in adolescents with ID. Methods: Thirty male adolescents with ID (age 14–21years) participated in this study. To test reproducibility, all participants performed a modified 6MWT (with continuous encouragement) twice with an interval of 1week. To test validity, peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) was measured on a bicycle ergometer. Results: There was no significant difference between the means of the two six-minute walk distances 6MWDs (583.6vs. 579.9m; p = 0.42). The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.93, indicating excellent reliability. The smallest real difference was 33.5m. 6MWD correlated significantly with relative peak VO2(β0.41)indicating validity. Conclusion: The modified 6MWT with continuous encouragement is a valid and reliable measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents with ID.