Abstract
Rationale: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a practical and simple field-based test to assess physical capacity. Several reference equations for six-minute walking distance (6MWD, m) exist, but have a number of limitations that decrease their clinical utility. In addition, no reference equations exist for the 6MWT-derived outcome six-minute walk work (6MWORK, kg.m). Objectives: To establish new reference equations for 6MWD and 6MWORK on a 20 m course using data from the population-based Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease study. Methods and Measurements: A total of 335 participants without obstructive or restrictive pulmonary function, with normal self-reported health status, normal exercise capacity, and <30 pack years cigarette smoking history were selected to create a representative sample of Canadian adults aged =40 years. All participants performed two 6MWTs. Reference equations were derived using multiple regression analyses. Main Results: On average, 6MWD and 6MWORK were 541±98 m and 41.3 ± 11.2 kg.m, respectively. All outcomes were significantly greater in males than females. Sex-specific reference equations were derived from the results of 6MWD and 6MWORK with an explained variance of 24 to 35%. Conclusions: This study established reference equations for 6MWD and 6MWORK on a 20 m course in Caucasian males and females aged =40 years with normal pulmonary function, self-reported health status and exercise capacity. These newly derived reference equations add value to the assessment of functional capacity in clinical practice.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 399-409 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Pulmonology |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2023 |
Keywords
- 6MWD
- 6MWORK
- 6MWT
- Exercise capacity
- Functional capacity